A BLIND man was robbed in a despicable attack as he went to pay his paper bill.
Father of two Malcolm Robinson, who walks with a white cane and also suffers with a heart condition, is in hospital after struggling with the thief outside a newsagents just yards from his home.
The thug snatched £60 cash from the 55-year-old's hand as he headed into Gilly's, on Ashton Old Road, in Openshaw, at around 9.15am yesterday.
Today his wife, Helen, labelled the attack 'disgusting' and 'despicable'.
She said: "He has worked for what he has, he'll help anyone but it's the same old story -people like him who are targeted and cannot leave their front door, even to pay a paper bill, in safety.
"He has a guide dog but left her at home because it had been raining so heavily. This is not the first time our family has been targeted - my son was bottled not far from there three years ago when he was 17. To say more needs to be done is an understatement. My husband feels very let down, he wasn't doing anything wrong and unfortunately I doubt the person responsible will come forward. It's disgusting."
Police are appealing for information following the incident. The offender is said to have struggled with his victim after spotting the three £20 notes in his hand and demanding 'I'll have that'. He then walked away with the cash.
Mr Robinson is in Manchester Royal Infirmary while doctors observe his heart condition.
Charanram Mistry, owner of Gilly's, said: "This is a regular customer and a very nice, helpful man. It is appalling. The shop has been targeted before, it is a big problem here, but to target such an obviously vulnerable person is terrible."
The offender is described as white, in his early 30s, around 5ft 7in tall and of medium build. He was wearing a white and blue baseball cap and tracksuit.
Sgt Darren Scarr, of Greater Manchester Police's robbery unit, said: "This offender is truly unscrupulous. He saw the victim with his cane, struggling to get into the shop. Instead of helping him, he has taken full advantage of the situation and robbed him."
Anyone with any information is asked to call the robbery unit on 0161 856 3592 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
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Blindman robbed outside shop
October 02, 2008
Showing comments 1 to 21 and replies | View All
Ace Shakepseare, manchester (02/10/2008 at 10:38)
Diana Diva (02/10/2008 at 11:30)
Mark, South Manchester (02/10/2008 at 11:55)
Marc (02/10/2008 at 12:23)
John Quambo, salford (02/10/2008 at 12:25)
Ace Shakepseare, manchester (02/10/2008 at 12:26)
Have you got a racist problem? Who mentioned colour! What i said was immigrants all colours white,black,browm,yellow.Why is it always people like you who want to start a race argument (Based on colour).
meldroo, Oldham (02/10/2008 at 12:42)
Mr Manchester (02/10/2008 at 12:45)
dessie, manchester (02/10/2008 at 13:01)
scum of the earth who did this!!!
jacko101 (02/10/2008 at 13:21)
You however only mention immigrants that could cause the problem, so it is you that has started this racist discussion.
This country does have an immigration problem, however it also has a much bigger 'white trash' problem, in that there is a huge amount of English people (who happen to be white) who are just thugs and bring entire areas down.
Of course we are lucky that there are many other English people (Of all colours) that try to respect and care for each other.
* This by no means explains all of the UK's problems and obviously there are more issues in all different races & religion. *
Trudy, Bolton (02/10/2008 at 13:21)
Marc (02/10/2008 at 13:58)
NorthMcrLad, North Mcr (02/10/2008 at 14:24)
Come on we all know it was some British low life, never worked a day in his life and either addicted to smack or drink or even both. the fact that he was in his 30's just sums up our inner city area's (of which i live in one). Kids get all the bad press round here but low lives like these are their role models.
So people lets focus on the crime and not on race. Its clear that Ace's comment is not racist he's just mentioning part of the problem that faces us in the area's we live in.
Marc (02/10/2008 at 14:39)
In the words of the great Sam Goldwyn, 'Gentlemen, include me out!'
I never accused Ace of being racist. I was just pointing out that in my experience of this nasty little area, the main sources of intimidation are white brits. Ace did, however, seem to imply that the area has gone downhill because of immigrants. This is not something I disagree with entirely. Places like Levenshulme and Longsight have suffered dramatically because of our open door policy on immigration. The areas are overcrowded, underfunded and unemployment is on the increase.
Jay B, oldham (02/10/2008 at 16:24)
if you commit a crime you should not have any human rights.
its all this pc brigade that are hindering the police in doing their jobs properly.
the criminals are just laughing at the respectable people in society.
wheres Gene Gunt when you need him!
Ace Shakepseare, manchester (02/10/2008 at 18:16)
Thank you.Marc i would just like to point out that every time i have taken my wife to the dentist on ashton old rd I have been bombarded with "Romanian Gypsy types" Trying to sell me gold rings Ect.This isnt to mention all the ""White"" drug takers going to the chemist to get their daily fix of methodone..Etc which brings problems into the area.
Pippa, Manchester (02/10/2008 at 18:35)
jonah, usa (02/10/2008 at 21:11)
Monk Redda, Manchester (03/10/2008 at 18:29)
Monk Redda, Manchester (03/10/2008 at 19:03)
The BNP badge as similar connotations to the Golly Badge.
My personal view is that the people who manage the BNP are not racist, but they have some people who try to follow them that do, and the BNP are trying to rid this menace.
whether he as a right to compensation we will see.
We are always going to live in a mucked up world.
Esso Blue, Manchester (05/10/2008 at 15:54)