War hero mugged for £1,000 bingo payout

Lees Binns, war hero mugged after winning a £1,000 at a game of bingo

AN 86-YEAR-OLD war hero, who survived the Normandy landings in the Second World War, was left battered and bruised after being mugged for his bingo prize.

Lees Binns, from Grasmere Road, Clarksfield, scooped £1,000 on Sunday at the Mecca Bingo Hall in King Street, Oldham.

But, on leaving at 9pm, the great-grandfather was grabbed from behind and pushed to the ground.

Mr Binns, who banged his head and fell heavily on his arm, was left covered in blood with bruising and facial injuries, and was taken to the Royal Oldham Hospital.

He has now called for changes to the way big winnings are paid out over fears someone could lose their life.

He said: “I go every Sunday. A friend drops me off and picks me up in John Street which is close by.

“It all happened so quickly I couldn’t tell whether it was a man or a woman, but I knew I was being mugged and they knew exactly where to find my money.

“I hope I never get near the person who did it because, although I’m 86, that person’s head will come off.”

Mr Binns is a lifelong bingo fan who played for teabags while serving as an engineer in the RAF.

He said the fact that big winnings are counted out in front of all the other bingo players as they leave puts both staff and winners at risk.

Mr Binns said: “I think someone saw me collect my win because they didn’t touch money that was in my top pocket.

“You used to get taken into a private room if you’d won a big amount, but now it’s just a three-sided counter at the end of the night.

“The girl who was counting out my win was counting two other lots of £1,000 at the same time, which is putting her at risk.

“The system needs changing because someone could be killed.

“But I’m not going to stop going, I’ve been playing every Sunday for 20 years, why should I let them get to me?”

A spokeswoman for Mecca Bingo said: “We’re shocked and saddened by what has happened to one of our customers.

“We are always happy to offer members who win any amount of money, be it large or small, the option to receive the winnings in the form of a cheque or to come and collect the winnings at a later date.

“Also, we are always happy to arrange a taxi for any members who win — but in this incidence the gentleman had informed staff that he had already organised a lift to collect him and take him home.”

l Anyone who witnessed the attack or has any information is asked to call Greater Manchester Police on 0161 872 5050.