Teen found guilty thanks to have-a-go hero

Feb 4 2010 By David Baker, Harrow Observer

A BULGARIAN teenager pleaded guilty this week to hospitalising a 91-year-old after an attack in Pinner last year.

The 14-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, ambushed pensioner Joyce Sieminski in Marsh Road in October, pushing her to the ground as she stole her handbag, leaving her with a fractured hip.

The girl, who required an interpreter during her court appearances, was caught after two witnesses chased her around the back of a nearby estate and found her hiding in some bushes.

In an exclusive interview with the Observer last year, shop worker Keval Valambhia (pictured), 30, told how he grabbed the girl following the afternoon mugging.

He said: "I was on my lunch break returning to my place of work and on the phone when I saw this young lady pushing a very old lady.

"Everyone was in shock. It was real-ly disgusting what I saw.

"The first thing I did was cross the road and ask the old lady if she was all right.

"She said 'I'm fine but I want you to chase that girl because she took all my money'.

"I just started to run after the young lady and there's a petrol station on Marsh Lane and she went behind it, where there is an office building.

"I locked my sights on her because I was far behind at that point.

"I continued running and there was a younger lady driver who asked me if I was looking for a girl, and pointed towards the property.

"The young girl was hiding in the front garden of a house and I put my arms around her to get her out of there.

"She was fighting with me because she wanted to get rid of me, and with the help of a bus driver, I was holding this lady.

"She had thrown all the stolen stuff while running and I asked her where the money was and she pointed towards a car by the petrol station.

"Everything was under the car but it wasn't much: A number of credit cards, an electricity bill, and a purse with £60 in it."

The mugger's victim was taken to Northwick Park Hospital with a fractured hip and is still struggling to come to terms with the attack.

Speaking after her plea, PC Andy McEwan, of the Harrow Police robbery squad, said: "This incident has had a devastating impact on the life of a 91-year-old woman.

"We would like to thank the members of the public who intervened to assist with the arrest of the 14-year-old responsible."

The girl pleaded guilty to theft and actual bodily harm at Harrow Crown Court and was remanded in custody for sentencing on March 1.