‘Despicable’ thug robs OAP, 75, in church hall

The 75-year-old was clearing up at St Margaret’s Catholic Church in Johnstone, Renfrewshire, when she was attacked following mass.

The thug pressed his arm against the victim’s throat to pin her against a wall after she caught him rifling through her handbag on Saturday morning.

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He then escaped with around £50 in cash, leaving the church volunteer badly shaken and upset.

Father Joseph Burke, the priest at St Margaret’s, said: “I was in the house next door at the time and she came to me very distressed.

“It could have been a lot worse. Thankfully the lady in question is absolutely fine, it was more the shock of it than anything else.

“It’s quite scary because this is a regular church worker doing good work and there’s nothing to stop it happening again to someone else.

“The police were called in straight away and we’re hopeful the person responsible will be found.”

The woman was enjoying a cup of tea with her friends in a small hall adjoining the church.

When they left, she stayed behind alone to tidy up the dishes. While the pensioner was busy, the thief managed to get hold of her handbag and helped himself to a pile of cash.

She confronted him but was left helpless as he used his arm to pin her against a wall.

The thug then fled the church hall.

Detectives described the attack as “despicable” and appealed for help to catch the culprit.

Inspector Willie Paterson of Strathclyde Police said last night: “This individual was preying on an elderly and very vulnerable lady in a place of worship.

We would appeal to any witnesses who may have been in the vicinity at the time of the attack and who may have seen someone acting suspiciously in the area to come forward at the earliest opportunity.”

Police have described the suspect in the mugging as a male who was aged between 25 and 30, with black curly hair and sallow skin.

He was wearing a black zipper top, black trousers and dark trainers.