A COWARDLY thief knocked an old lady to the ground before snatching her bag.

The 74-year-old victim was walking along Peter Street, St Helens when the attack occurred at about 8.05pm on Friday, February 13.

She was approached from behind by the robber who knocked her to the ground, then snatched the bag and ran off across a car park near to the Cricketers Arms pub.

The black, leather handbag contained a purse with about £35 in it, an umbrella and numerous personal effects valued at £100 all together.

Although she was shaken by the incident, the pensioner was able to give a description of her assailant who was white, in his early 20s and about 5ft 10ins tall. He was wearing a dark-coloured track suit with white lines down the arms and legs and a black woolly hat with a white line down part of it.

IF you were in the area at the time and have any information on this incident you can contact DC John Crehan at St Helens CID on 0151 777 6064 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

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