TEEN THUGS PUNCH OAP
Woman left with black eye after trio’s attack
A pensioner was punched in the face on a Rutherglen Street in broad daylight as teens attempted to steal her handbag.
The woman, aged 64, was attacked and threatened by three male youths on Greenhill Road, near to the car park entrance of Rutherglen Exchange.
They made a grab for her bag but ran off empty handed. Police are now appealing for all those who saw the attack — which has left the woman with a black eye and frightened — to come forward.
All the suspects are white and approximately 16 years old.
Only one youth is further described as having red hair, acne and wearing dark clothing.
A Greenhill Road resident told the Reformer he was not in the area at the time of the attack, but that he was “not surprised” it took place in broad daylight.
The man, who did want to be named, said: “I’m surprised this sort of thing doesn’t happen more often to be honest. The place is full of neds and junkies.
“Bandit country is a good description. You see them all walking about the Main Street trying to get folk to go in and get their booze
at the off-sales next to the bingo or the beer and wine shop. “The place is a midden nowadays.” The attack happened at around 12.50pm on Saturday, March 11.
Detective Constable Ruth Whyte, Cambuslang CID, is leading the inquiry.
She said: “The lady had been out for the day shopping and was on the bus heading home when she felt unwell. She decided to get off the bus and make her way to the taxi rank behind the shopping centre, however, she took a wrong turn and that’s when she was confronted by the three youths.
“Despite them threatening her and hitting her in the face, which left her with a black eye, they didn’t get her bag and they ran off up the access ramp towards Greenhill Road.
“Thankfully, the lady was not more seriously injured but this was a very frightening experience for her to go through.
“These boys had no respect for her at all and are in my opinion cowards for hitting a woman who was on her own.
“The access to the car park is overlooked by the ramp from the roof of the Rutherglen Exchange building, so I would appeal to anyone who saw the incident take place or indeed the three youths hanging about, to contact police.”
Information on the attack can be passed to officers at Cambuslang CID via 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 where details can be given in confidence.