Determined Eva hits out at justice system after attacker walked free

Sprightly 93-year-old Eva Jones has questioned the British justice system after her cruel teenage attacker dodged prison last month.

The 17-year old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, attacked Eva while she was waiting for a bus on Turf Lane in Chadderton back in August, as he tried to steal her handbag.

Eva was thrown to the floor and banged her head on the pavement, leaving her with severe head injuries, left thinking she could die as a result of her injuries.

Appearing at Tameside Youth Court last month, the college student was spared jail - instead he was handed a 10-month referral order and told to pay Eva £500 in compensation, which he’ll do in £10 a week instalments taken from his £25 a week pocket money.

Eva told the Chronicle: “I’m annoyed to say the least, but I’ve also said I don’t want him to go to prison.

“He is young, but I want him punished in a way that will make him not forget what he’s done.

“What he did was very nasty, so I didn’t expect him to get away with a pat on the shoulder – that’s what he got.

“I’m just at a loss to know how he’s got away with everything.

“If this is British justice, it’s not so clever is it?

“My family are so angry. It’s just as though I’ve been pushed to one side – I was a silly stood at the bus stop when I shouldn’t have been.

“That’s what it’s made me feel like.

“The law is the law so that’s the end of it now, is the law an ass?

“Everything just seems to have been against him being sentenced by the Tameside Youth Court.

“If it had been this week, when he turns 18, it would have gone to Crown Court and that would have been a different kettle of fish.”

Thankfully Eva has almost fully recovered now, but prospects looked bleak immediately after the shocking attack.

She added: “What annoyed me most was after the hearing, the culprit’s solicitor saying he was of impeccable character and he was dreadfully sorry.

“It also said the victim was allowed home from hospital after an hour.

“I was a victim, I didn’t know where I was and I was in a pretty bad way.

“I had a big lump on my head and lots of bruises. I was battered and I thought I’d cracked my skull on the pavement.

“I thought I’d had it, I really did. I must have bounced off the pavement.

“I was allowed home, but only if I was with somebody.”

Following the attack, on August 16, Eva, who has 11 grandchildren, was left with extensive bruising to her arms, legs and back and suffered from constant headaches, persistent neck pain, and flashbacks.

She has praised the support she received from the police and the emergency services, and would also like to thank all her neighbours for the loving support they have shown.

However, being the fit and active pensioner she is, Eva has been determined not to live in fear following her traumatic ordeal.

This attack hasn’t put feisty Eva off heading out on her travels again.

“I quickly decided I wasn’t going to let this get me down,” she said.

“As soon as I was able I was back at the same bus stop.

“This wasn’t going to frighten me. I’m more aware now and I won’t stand with my back to anyone so I know who’s coming.

“I won’t let this put me off. I’m going to make sure I’ve got sharp corners on my bag in future, and I’ll always look in the right direction.

“If I’ve got to hit anyone with my bag, they’ll come off worse with a sharp corner under their chin.

“I’m not going to sit here and say ‘I daren’t go out now’.

“I think this has made me more scared of myself than anything else.”

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