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Hero gran stops thieves

4.36PM Tue Feb 8 2011

The granny who used her handbag to fight off six hammer-wielding thugs has spoken of how no one came to help her when she first intervened.

The woman, who has been named as Ann Timson from Spring Boroughs in Northampton, said those standing nearby appeared mesmerised and stood their filming or taking photos.

Hero gran: the jeweller's reaction

A statement has been issued on her behalf by police.

She said: “I’d been shopping in the town and was on my way down Gold Street when I met a friend and stopped to have a chat. I became aware of a loud revving noise at the top of the street. I looked over and saw a kid run up to the doorway of the jeweller which is on the corner of Bridge Street. Three lads followed him and when I saw their arms going I thought the kid was being beaten up."

“My mother’s instinct kicked in and I ran across the road shouting at the lads to stop it. Only then did I realise that they were smashing glass and that it was a raid. There was a scooter in my path revving up but by now I was in full flight and I started whacking the lads over the head with my shopping bag."

“Passers by didn’t come to my assistance to begin with. I was amazed at that, but they all seemed mesmerised. A lot were standing there filming or taking photos and I wonder whether more people didn’t intervene because they thought the raid was being mocked up. In the cold light of day, I know I put myself in danger. But I probably would do the same again.

“My red coat has now been packed away for the winter and my red hair is being dyed green. And my black shopping bag is having a rest today, to give it time to recover from its bruises!”

By: Richard Pallot

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