Pensioner scares off hooded thugs

A plucky pensioner had two young thugs running scared when one attacked him with a broken bottle during an attempted street robbery.

The hooded thugs ran up from behind and demanded cash from the 66-year-old in Partington Street, Failsworth, at 9pm on Tuesday.

One tried to hit the man with the bottle but missed, and then both ran off along School Road, with the defiant pensioner giving chase.

At the time of the incident, a car stopped at the scene.

It is believed the driver may have witnessed what was happening and intended to help the victim before the offenders escaped. Police are appealing for that driver to contact them.

PC Andrew McWalters, from the volume crime team, said: “These offenders clearly saw the victim as an easy target and tried to intimidate him into handing over cash.

“Their plan backfired, however, but it is important we catch them before they try to steal from anyone else.”

Both yobs wore dark clothing with the hood up. One was about 5ft 10in tall, of slim build, and carried a duffle type rucksack on his shoulder. The other was 5ft 7in tall of stocky build.

Anyone with any information is asked to call the volume crime team at Oldham on 0161-856 5707 or the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800-555 111.