'I knew he was a bad one': Super gran Margaret Leese stops Bucknall thief outside Co-op store with her handbag
FEARLESS pensioner Margaret Leese helped police capture a shoplifter – by hitting him with her handbag.
The 77-year-old was on her way to the Co-op store, in Bucknall, for a loaf of bread when she spotted thief Andrew Reece.
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SUPER GRAN: Margaret Leese.
Mrs Leese, above, was pushed to the ground as she tried to stop Reece escaping with four bottles of booze.
But Reece then tripped up over the quick-thinking OAP and was arrested by police.
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Mrs Leese, of Woodhead Road, Abbey Hulton, suffered a fractured left wrist, ligament damage and bruising in the incident outside the Werrington Road shop on February 13.
Now 26-year-old Reece, of Burnley Street, Birches Head, is serving a 20-week prison sentence after admitting assaulting Mrs Leese and stealing the alcohol.
Mrs Leese, who cares for her terminally-ill husband Stan, aged 80, said: "We normally get a taxi together everywhere we go, but there was snow on the ground so I told Stan to stay in and I would catch the bus to the doctors.
"On the way back, I was a bit early so decided to nip for a loaf.
"When I got to the shop I saw two police officers who looked like they were waiting for someone. Then I saw a young man coming towards me and I knew instantly it was him they wanted."
Courageous Mrs Leese attempted to stop Reece by hitting him with her handbag and pushing him in the chest only to be knocked over herself.
Mrs Leese added: "He pushed me and I went flat on my back. He gave me quite a bash. He tried to get away but he tripped over me and fell on his face. I was black and blue. I had to have my arm put in a cast, it is still painful now.
"He was stronger than I thought he was going to be and I am just lucky I was wearing my duffel coat so I didn't hurt my head. I don't know why I did it, it was just instinct. I knew he was a bad one who needed to be stopped. Everyone has been really supportive. The police have been wonderful."
Reece was arrested at the scene and jailed at North Staffordshire Justice Centre this week.
Staffordshire Police today praised Mrs Leese for her actions.
Chief Superintendent Bernie O'Reilly, left, said: "Mrs Leese is a wonder woman. She was brave and courageous and I really can't thank her enough for helping my officers arrest this lad. She helped to grab hold of him and we are really grateful for that. Her actions are humbling and inspiring."
13 Comments
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by cadgaboo
Wednesday, May 08 2013, 12:39PM
“WHAT! She knew "he was a bad one"!
Pity she didn't have a similar attitude to one of her own Son's, who is known to be a thug and bully with a string of ABH and GBH charges against him, and who assaulted a disabled lady at the late Mr Leese's funeral, because she was sat in a seat he wanted to sit in, (she was entitled to sit there being the late Mr Leese's Daughter) and when she refused to move he violently yanked away her crutch she was holding, almost pulling her off the seat and broke the heads off the flowers she had intended to put on her Fathers coffin.
All this in front of all those attending the funeral
What a disgraceful way to behave at any time let alone at a funeral!”
by FFDP1
Saturday, March 02 2013, 3:42PM
“What I have seen this six nations she's got a better defence then the French.”
by Lynz77
Saturday, March 02 2013, 1:20PM
“A very brave lady, and agree with bucknallmel's comment, there is normally a comment by one particular poster when the Abbey is mentioned. Look forward to his/her comment on this story.”
by JonWoolley
Friday, March 01 2013, 6:03PM
“Well done Mrs Leese, its a shame he didn't receive the injuries you did.
I don't know if its me being paranoid, but this idiot who got a slap on the wrist will be out very soon and he has proved what kind of scum he is, but the Sentinel have printed Mrs Leese's address and if he had access to a paper or online access he will know where she lives and when he gets out whats to stop him going to her home and assault her when he gets out?
I hope to god he doesn't, I think its so wrong to put her details on show for all to see, if it were me id be panicing wondering what will happen.”
by A_Reader
Friday, March 01 2013, 5:34PM
“Perhaps if the police had been a bit quicker, she wouldn't have had to hurt herself. They knew where he was so what were they up to?”
by OddSock
Friday, March 01 2013, 5:20PM
“20 weeks out in 10 weeks, 2 coppers were assaulted by a drunk no mark & he got a suspended sentence,cameron & his clowns are shutting multiple prisons nationwide, HE IS PROMOTING CRIME, i notice the tory pigs came 3rd in the eastleigh by-election & cameron says he is disapointed,Ukip will be getting my vote anti migration,cameron stripps the vulnerable disabled people & cripples & middle class down of there pittance what does the plank expect? its only the rich who will vote for him cause they get richer,sooner the clueless moron is out the better pompous id.iot he is...”
by BucknallMel
Friday, March 01 2013, 1:58PM
“Well done, Mrs L, good for you - hope you are recovered from your injuries. Please note, anti-Abbey trolls, the criminal came from Birches Head; and the brave citizen who stopped him, from the Abbey.”
by Iffyminty
Friday, March 01 2013, 1:28PM
“My elderly mum shops in there. She would have broke his face she is so mean.”
by Killuminati
Friday, March 01 2013, 1:10PM
“Hats off to Mrs Leese but a bit stupid of the sentinel to print her address as this piece of excrement will be out in about 2 months”
by CpnOatcake
Friday, March 01 2013, 12:58PM
“Of course, she could have got seriously hurt by trying to tackle him, but we'll just ignore that!”