Robber Who Mugged 85-Year-Old Calls Police to Protest Innocence – After Being Named by Public
Heartless Thief Targets Elderly Woman in Broad Daylight
Jacob Harper, 31, was caught red-handed snatching an 85-year-old lady’s handbag as she shopped. CCTV shows Harper leaning from his bike to grab the bag, sending the poor woman crashing to the ground. Thankfully, she wasn’t seriously hurt but left shaken by the vicious attack.
Public Outcry and False Claims of Innocence
Harper was soon identified following a media appeal, sparking a flood of calls and social media messages both naming him and some bizarrely defending his innocence. In a cheeky move, Harper himself rang the police control room to claim he was innocent – despite the damning evidence.
Police Furious at ‘Cowardly and Opportunistic’ Crime
Detective Constable Hollie Fothergill slammed the mugging as “a cowardly and opportunistic attack on an elderly woman who was simply doing her shopping.” She added:
“Harper, who clearly identified her as an easy target, left her sprawled on the ground, putting her in danger of serious injury. His actions that day were heinous, and I am relieved that he has now been brought to justice.”
She also thanked the victim and her family for their “patience and dignity throughout the legal process” and expressed hope that the sentence handed down would bring them closure.
Denial Doesn’t Hold Up in Court
Despite admitting in interview to riding a silver Carrera bike around town that day, Harper denied being on it during the theft. The Nottingham Crown Court heard the evidence on 29 July, where Harper’s lies were laid bare.
Justice is moving swiftly for this ‘cowardly’ crook – and the victim can finally start to heal.
