OAP robbed of picture of his wife days before death

A TEENAGER robbed a pensioner of his wallet containing a precious picture of his wife in a street attack which took place three days before she died.

Ibrar Ul- Haq preyed on the vulnerable victim in order to fund his addiction to gambling. The 19- year- old convicted sex offender was sent to a young offender institution for 22 months after a court heard how he tried to use the victim’s bank cards to place bets after the robbery.

Leeds Crown Court heard that Ul- Haq carried robbed the 68- year- old victim in Dewsbury on August 1.

Ayman, Khokhar, prosecuting, said the defendant robbed the pensioner in an alleyway between Russell Street and Brunswick Street.

Mr Khokhar said the victim shouted to Ul- Haq: “Take my money but leave my wallet.”

The prosecutor said the wallet contained a photograph of the defendant and his wife from 1974.

His wife’s medical prescription was also in the wallet along with £ 200 in cash and £ 350 worth of specialist coins.

Ul- Haq tried to use two of the victim’s bank cards to place bets at a Ladbrokes betting shop on Market Street around two hours later, at 9.30am.

One card was voided and the other was declined.

Police arrested Ul- Haq at the shop but he refused to comment when first interviewed.

He made full admissions about the offence when interviewed for a second time and said he carried out the offences to fund his gambling addiction.

Ul- Haq, of Sackville Street, Dewsbury, pleaded guilty to robbery and two offences of fraud.

He has previous convictions for crimes including sexual assault.

Recorder Tahir Khan QC said: “The robbery itself was, in my judgment, a particularly mean and unpleasant offence committed against a 68- year- old who it seems was not in good health.”