Knife thug who robbed lone women is locked up
‘COWARD’ JAILED FOR NINE YEARS FOR SERIES OF TERRIFYING MUGGINGS
A MAN has been jailed for a string of violent robberies against lone women.
Lee Walsh, 40, targeted eight women across Rochdale and Bury, by attacking them before making off with their handbags.
During one robbery, a 69-yearold woman was mugged as she made her way to hospital for cancer treatment.
The woman was walking along East Street in Bury when Walsh snatched her bag, which contained personal items and her cancer medication.
He then ran off to a waiting VW Golf and passed the bag to his accomplice, Marie Ellis, 35.
On another occasion, a 58-yearold woman was threatened at knifepoint at her workplace in Wardleworth, Rochdale.
The woman had left some bags on the front porch as she went back to her car.
On returning to the building she saw Walsh picking up her bags and pleaded with him to leave them.
Walsh then pulled out a knife, which he pointed towards her before fleeing with the bags.
Another woman, aged 52, was pushed to the ground as she had her handbag stolen by Walsh on High Street, near Walshaw.
The robberies took place between Friday, May 17 and Wednesday, May 29, 2019.
At Minshull Street Crown Court, Walsh, of George Street, Rochdale, was jailed for nine years. He pleaded guilty to six counts of robbery and one count of theft. Ellis, of Peel Lodge, was previously sentenced to two-and-a-half years in prison after admitting one count of robbery and four counts of handling stolen goods. Detective Inspector Andy Naismith, of GMP’s Bury division, said: “There is no place for behaviour like this in Greater Manchester. “These cowardly offenders thought they were above the law, stealing from their victims in an aggressive and threatening manner.
“I hope this sentencing can give their victims the closure they need after their terrifying ordeals.
“This stretch behind bars should give both these offenders the time they need to reflect on their appalling actions and the horrible way in which they treated innocent members of the public.”
These cowardly offenders thought they were above the law Det Insp Andy Naismith