Thief robs Larkhall OAP after attacking him in bed

Jul 2 2009 by John Rowbotham, Hamilton Advertiser

A COUNTY OAP was attacked in his bed and then robbed.

It happened just before midnight on Monday in Larkhall’s Muirshot Road.

The terrified 70-year-old was awoken by a bang caused by an intruder squeezing through a window.

The thief punched him in the face as he lay in his bed then went through the pockets of his jacket, which was nearby.

Inside the jacket, the thief found a wallet containing a two-figure sum of cash. The intruder made off with the money, leaving the OAP, who declined hospital attention, to raise the alarm.

Police investigating the incident are keen to trace a group of teenagers, three males and two females, who were standing at the back of the man’s house about 9.30pm that night.

Inspector Andy Munro of Larkhall Police also warned householders to keep their doors and windows locked during the heatwave.

“With temperatures high at night there is the temptation to leave downstairs doors and windows open,” he added.

“This can be an open invitation to an intruder and I would urge people toensure that downstairs windows anddoors are securely locked at night and also in the morning when they leave for work.”

Information to Inspector Munro, telephone 01698 202340.

Meanwhile, police in Hamilton are probing an incident in which a 17-year-old youth was mugged as he was walking home about 9pm Monday in Woodfoot Road, near to Wellhall Road.

A male and female in their late teens began following the teenager and the male started mouthing abuse at him.

The victim was then punched about the head and body before being robbed of a two-figure sum of money.

Inspector Fraser Lamb of Hamilton Police appealed for witnesses.

He said the male mugger was 5ft 8in with blond hair and wearing a blue-and-white striped football top, possibly a replica Argentina shirt.

His female accomplice was 5ft 6in, had blonde shoulder-length hair and was wearing a black jacket.

Information to Inspector Lamb, telephone 01698 483460.