Blantyre knife robbery victim pleads for information

Oct 22 2009 by Chris Clements, Hamilton Advertiser

THE Blantyre pensioner at the centre of last week’s knife robbery scare has told the Advertiser that the public must help catch the “fiend from Hell” who mugged him.

Last Monday morning, Jim Speirs (68) had been walking his dog Jet near his home in Camelon Crescent at 6.25am when the masked attacker accosted him with a blade.

The knife was held to Jim’s neck. Demanding money, the robber then forced the retired council worker into his ground-floor flat in the street.

The robber raided the house, before kicking Jim’s two-year-old Collie and making off with £1500 of his savings.

The whole ordeal lasted around seven minutes.

Now Jim, who lives alone, fears that someone else may be attacked by the callous thug.

He said: “Someone has to help catch this fiend from Hell. It is cruel what he did to me. I’m scared that he’ll do the same to someone else, so he has to be stopped.

“I’ve never experienced anything like this in my life. I just froze. He didn’t speak at all. He spoke in a sort of dummy language and pointed at a bit of paper that said ‘Money’ on it.

“I just did what he asked. I thought I was going to die and leave Jet by himself. If I won the lottery this week, I swear on the graves of my parents that I would gladly give up all the money just to catch that man.”

Jim explained that the robber grabbed him as he entered the secure door to the block of flats after he returned from a walk with Jet, a rescue dog he acquired two weeks previously.

Jim also explained that, as the knife was held to his throat, he thought someone was making a joke until he realised the seriousness of the situation.

The robber was disguised by a hood, a balaclava-style mask, a scarf and marigold gloves. The suspect did not speak to the victim, leading local residents to believe that Jim may have known his attacker.

“He probably didn’t want me to recognise his voice,” said Jim. “All I know is that he probably didn’t stay in the flats, as he grabbed my keys off me to try and get out the big doors, not realising you just push the button.

“What makes it worse is that he hurt my dog. He kicked him as he left. Jet just had his chew-toy in his mouth and thought that it was a game.

“Jet wouldn’t hurt anyone. He’s been put in my life for a reason.”

Last week, the Advertiser reported on the local community’s shock at the crime.

One source said: “There is a line that is drawn in the sand and that person has crossed it.”

Police are continuing their investigation into the crime. Detective Constable Brian Scanlan said: “We have been interviewing local people, and have been visiting pubs and bookies to find out as much information as possible.

“This is a shocking crime against a vulnerable person and the person must be caught.

“Anyone with information that may help with our enquiries, particularly those who were in the area at the time of the attack, are urged to come forward.”

Anyone with any information should contact DC Scanlan at Hamilton Police Office on 01698 483300, or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.