Brazen thief robbed injured pensioner in front of police as she lay on ground

Watch: Brazen robber takes £200 in front of police

A robber shoved a pensioner to the ground and stole her purse right in front of officers as they came to her aid.

Jay Makwana, 40, pushed the 81-year-old woman after she left a bank in Bexleyheath, South East London, then waited for police to arrive with her.

Body camera footage shows him taking an object by the victim as she lies on the ground. An investigation found he had taken her purse, and the roughly £200 inside, put it into a carrier bag and left the scene.

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The woman suffered facial injuries and hit her head on the pavement during the incident on 9 November and was taken to hospital, though her injuries are not life threatening.

However, she has been left scared of leaving her home on her own.

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Makwana was arrested on 24 November and jailed for six years at Woolwich Crown Court on January 6 after pleading guilty to robbery.

Sergeant Matt Taylor, of the Met’s Burglary Robbery Investigation Team, said: “This was a truly shocking assault on a woman who was deliberately targeted because of her age and vulnerability.

“It has had a huge impact on the victim’s life and left her scared to leave home alone.

“I hope the fact that Makwana received a significant custodial sentence will bring her some closure as she continues to come to terms with this terrible ordeal.”

The robber was also told to pay a £190 victim surcharge.

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