[15 JAN 01] CRIMES, FIRES & ACCIDENTS
Car Robber Strikes With Blade 

A pensioner was cut with a blade as she struggled with a robber trying to steal her handbag from her car.

She was clearing the car windscreen for a friend with whom she was travelling as they rested at the Granada service station on the M42, near the junction with the A5 yesterday at 6pm.

The 60-year-old woman saw a man approach the car and grab her handbag, which was on the front passenger seat.

A struggle broke out during which she suffered cuts to her hand. The cuts are consistent with a blade, possibly a knife being used.

The attacker escaped and police are appealing for anyone who saw him to come forward.

He is described as being swarthy, possibly of eastern European appearance, 5ft 8ins, in his late 20s with short shaved hair.

He drove off in a red Nissan Cabstar van registration L471FBM. He is also wanted in connection with other offences in the area.

The victim needed nine stitches at a hospital in Tamworth, but was later able to continue to her home in Gloucestershire.