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15/04/2008
Pensioner Shocked In Attack
Robbers have been going for the soft option, by attacking a pensioner in her 80s.
The victim has been left shocked following the incident at her south Belfast home.
Meanwhile, a man has been jailed for what was described a botched 'spur of the moment' cash delivery robbery in which he used his wife's own car to escape. The man was sentenced on the same day the lady was attacked in her own home.
It took place at about 4.30pm on Monday at Lille Park in Finaghy and was carried out by by a man dressed in a high-visibility vest, like a workman.
He restrained the pensioner before searching the house, taking car keys and a purse containing cash.
It is thought two other men also entered the house during the robbery. The woman was shaken but not hurt.
The robber is thought to be about 40 years of age with a southern accent.
Meanwhile, a man who decided - on the spur of the moment - to attempt to rob a security guard of cash has been jailed for four years.
Belfast Crown Court heard Ernest James Swaffield, 45, from Seahaven Drive in Portavogie, was caught as he had used his wife's own car as his getaway vehicle.
Swaffield demanded the guard hand over a cash box and put his hand in his pocket to suggest he had a gun.
The guard ran into the bank while a surveillance officer who had been in the nearby van chased Swaffield.
The attempted robbery happened in September 2006 outside the Ulster Bank on the Lisburn Road in Belfast.
A defence lawyer said Swaffield had dropped his wife off to go shopping and was waiting to get her when he tried to rob the guard 'in this moment of madness'.
A prosecution lawyer said Swaffield claimed to the guard that he had been trying to prevent two other men from robbing the box, believed to contain about £25,000 in cash.
He said the guard had noted the registration number of Swaffield's car, and was arrested by police who established it was registered in his wife's name.
Swaffield denied any involvement during police questioning but later pleaded guilty to attempted robbery and driving while disqualified.
(BMcC)
The victim has been left shocked following the incident at her south Belfast home.
Meanwhile, a man has been jailed for what was described a botched 'spur of the moment' cash delivery robbery in which he used his wife's own car to escape. The man was sentenced on the same day the lady was attacked in her own home.
It took place at about 4.30pm on Monday at Lille Park in Finaghy and was carried out by by a man dressed in a high-visibility vest, like a workman.
He restrained the pensioner before searching the house, taking car keys and a purse containing cash.
It is thought two other men also entered the house during the robbery. The woman was shaken but not hurt.
The robber is thought to be about 40 years of age with a southern accent.
Meanwhile, a man who decided - on the spur of the moment - to attempt to rob a security guard of cash has been jailed for four years.
Belfast Crown Court heard Ernest James Swaffield, 45, from Seahaven Drive in Portavogie, was caught as he had used his wife's own car as his getaway vehicle.
Swaffield demanded the guard hand over a cash box and put his hand in his pocket to suggest he had a gun.
The guard ran into the bank while a surveillance officer who had been in the nearby van chased Swaffield.
The attempted robbery happened in September 2006 outside the Ulster Bank on the Lisburn Road in Belfast.
A defence lawyer said Swaffield had dropped his wife off to go shopping and was waiting to get her when he tried to rob the guard 'in this moment of madness'.
A prosecution lawyer said Swaffield claimed to the guard that he had been trying to prevent two other men from robbing the box, believed to contain about £25,000 in cash.
He said the guard had noted the registration number of Swaffield's car, and was arrested by police who established it was registered in his wife's name.
Swaffield denied any involvement during police questioning but later pleaded guilty to attempted robbery and driving while disqualified.
(BMcC)
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31 March 2006
Cash delivery guard robbed at knife-point
Police in north Belfast are appealing for information after a cash delivery guard was robbed yesterday morning. It is understood that a man armed with a knife, approached the guard outside a bank in the York Road area of the city at around 10am. The man demanded that the guard hand over the cash box he was carrying.
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Police in north Belfast are appealing for information after a cash delivery guard was robbed yesterday morning. It is understood that a man armed with a knife, approached the guard outside a bank in the York Road area of the city at around 10am. The man demanded that the guard hand over the cash box he was carrying.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A showery start with outbreaks most frequent north of Lough Neagh and through the morning, before dwindling during the afternoon as the northwest breezes ease and brighter spells of weak sunshine prosper. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
