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Woman, 81, dies after street robber attacks her for an empty bag
Justin Davenport and Benedict Moore-Bridger16.01.09
A PENSIONER has died shortly after being robbed in a London street.
Molly Morgan, 81, was attacked from behind in Harrow and her shoulder bag - which contained just a few personal items including an umbrella and a supermarket carrier - snatched.
Her house keys and her purse were found in her coat.
During the assault, at about 8pm yesterday, it appears that she fell to the ground and suffered a head injury.
Mrs Morgan, who lived near to where the attack took place, was taken to Northwick Park Hospital but her condition deteriorated during the night. She died shortly before 4am.
Scotland Yard said she had been on her way to Kenton Library to attend a lecture on historic London buildings when she was attacked. Police appealed for witnesses saying the mugging took place in a busy residential street.
Detective Chief Inspector Jessica Wadsworth, who is leading the murder inquiry, described Mrs Morgan as "very active" and said she was able to give brief details about the attack to police from her hospital bed before her condition worsened. She said: "What is absolutely appalling is that the thief got away with virtually nothing and Mrs Morgan lost her life for nothing."
Mrs Morgan, who lived alone, was a widow and was the last surviving of three sisters. Ms Wadsworth said: "The force of the snatch dragged her to the ground. Unfortunately she could not describe her assailant as the attack was from behind."
She added: "Her daughter has told us how active she was in the community, working as a volunteer. She had an allotment and a lively sense of humour." So far there have been no reported witnesses to the mugging and no description of the attacker.
Linda O'Sullivan, who lives a few yards from the scene, said: "It's so shocking because this is such a busy road - especially at that time of night."
She said police searched the road outside and the front gardens of the houses looking for a weapon. A post mortem examination is due to be held to establish the cause of death.
Anyone with information should call 020 8358 0300 or ring Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Reader views (8)
Unfortunately they can only be charged with robbery and assault or perhaps manslaughter. Although manslaughter carries a maximum term of life they are likely to get no more than 5 years. Hence the term is so appropriate
Man's Laughter.
- Adam, Harrow, UK
I could rant for hours on this sort of thing,as long as the "rights and feelings" of criminals are considered more than their victims this sort of thing will keep on happening. When they ARE caught their"punishment"seems more like a holiday than anything else.I don't blame the police force for this they are working with one hand tied behind their back,it is the "do-gooders"MAKE the punishment just that,PUNISHMENT.!
- Lynne Harrold, Birmingham
I agree TOTALLY with you John Radford. They should hang this scum, Someone somewhere knows him .....
- Barbara, sydney, Australia,
Harrow is 10 minutes drive from where I live, and this was prided on being an area which boasted the lowest levels of crime a few years ago. That mugger no doubt has/had a mother and a grandmother of his own, I hope he is bricking it right now. What is hidden in the dark will be brought to the light. Sickening.
- Carolyn Fernandez, Greenford, London
We all know that MOST of the public would like to see the perpetrator of this crime HANG. But our political 'masters' don't care what WE want - which is why crime is off the scale, and innocent, decent people are being murdered on a daily basis, by the criminal parasites who infest our towns and cities - all because of our 'government'.
We are living under tyranny, as simple as that.
Hang the b*&*ard.
- John Radford, Londonistan
what a coward, he should remember that what goes around comes around and one day this will happen to him or his family, at which point he will be crying like a baby as this is what he is, he is not a real man and never will be, if he has any friends they should be ashamed to be linked with this coward and should shop him to the old bill, if he was tough enough he would work for his money, but obviously he is to weak, he is just a usual low life that hurts aattacks and murders women, probably hurts animals as well, lock him up for life we do not need uncaring scum like this in our world
- sean o'leary, Walthamstow London
What sort of cowardly apology for a human being would ever even think of attacking a 81 yr old woman from behind,this country is producing some sick people who should not be allowed to breath the air.I have up till a few years ago never supported the idea of capital punishment,but i most certainly do now.
- KEV, London-UK
Rest assured that when caught, the perpetrator will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of Nu Liebour law, they'll be given an ASBO and counselling.
- Bob, Cheam
