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Teenagers spit at disabled woman in the street
A DISABLED woman was abused and spat at by a gang of youths in Bedford on Saturday afternoon.
The 60-year-old victim was making her way home after leaving a rose at her late husband’s grave, between about 2.30pm and 3pm. She was on Goldington Road between Goldington Green and Polhill Avenue between about 2.30pm and 3pm when she was approached by a group of six or seven young males.
One of the group held her shoulders while another grabbed the powered controls of her wheelchair, and a third tampered with the arm of her wheelchair.
They ten surrounded the woman and abused her with phrases including “You don’t belong in this world,” and “Why were you born?” before they took turns in spitting at her.
The terrified woman only managed to get away when a passer-by saw her and shouted at the youths, giving her enough time to grab the steering lever of the chair and get away.
She bumped down the kerb in her haste to escape, and was nearly hit by an on-coming car. This driver stopped and seeing her so badly upset, offered her a lift home. However, the woman declined the offer and made her way back on her own.
All the youths were about 16-19 years old; the one who grabbed the steering control of her wheelchair was white, wearing beige trainers and multi-coloured striped socks. The other two main offenders were Asian.
PC Sara Ielden said: “I find it difficult to understand what kind of pathetic cowards would dream of stopping this woman in the street, say the most appalling things to her and then spit all over her.
“The woman said the attack went on for about 10 minutes but to her it felt like hours.”
“The area must have been really busy at the time, as it’s one of the main roads into town and I’m sure that there are people who would have seen the woman as she travelled in her wheelchair, or might have seen some part of what happened,.
“In particular, I’d really like to trace both the Good Samaritans who intervened to help her – I’m sure that both the passer-by who shouted and the driver who had to avoid her as she crossed into the road will remember such a nasty incident.”
Anyone who saw the incident should contact PC Ielden at Greyfriars police station on 101. Alternatively call Crimestoppers with information on 0800 555111, or text the police control room direct on 07786 200011.
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Weather for Bedford
Sunday 26 May 2013
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Temperature: 5 C to 18 C
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