Community order for stealing elderly woman's purse

By Barrie Hudson - 9 June 2022

Crime

A man who stole a woman’s purse in Swindon's town centre has been handed a community order.

The victim, a woman in her 70s, reported being jostled by a passing man while she was shopping in The Parade on the afternoon of 11 April.

When she went to pay for her items, she realised her purse had been stolen from her handbag and called the police.

PC Paul Bezzant, who works in the town centre, viewed CCTV and was able to identify suspect Simon Ambler.

He was subsequently spotted by PC Bezzant in the town the following day and, when he got on a bus, officers pulled it over in Cricklade High Street and arrested him.

Ambler, 44, of Ashcroft Road, Cirencester, pleaded guilty to one count of theft.

He appeared at Swindon Magistrates Court and was given a community order and ordered to pay £90 in compensation.

PC Bezzant said: “We know that this sort of crime causes upset and frustration for local people, and we hope this case proves that we do take these offences seriously and will work hard to identify suspects and ensure they are brought to justice.”

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