{"id":240667,"date":"2023-11-14T21:10:22","date_gmt":"2023-11-14T21:10:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lovemainstream.com\/?p=240667"},"modified":"2023-11-14T21:10:22","modified_gmt":"2023-11-14T21:10:22","slug":"shocking-moment-laughing-thief-steals-1100-from-vulnerable-pensioner-on-mobility-scooter-who-handed-him-money-the-sun","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lovemainstream.com\/world-news\/shocking-moment-laughing-thief-steals-1100-from-vulnerable-pensioner-on-mobility-scooter-who-handed-him-money-the-sun\/","title":{"rendered":"Shocking moment laughing thief steals \u00a31,100 from vulnerable pensioner on mobility scooter who handed him money | The Sun"},"content":{"rendered":"
THIS is the shocking moment a laughing thief stole \u00a31,100 from a vulnerable pensioner on a mobility scooter who handed him money.<\/p>\n
Andrew Merritt, 34, from Worksop in Nottinghamshire, stopped the the 88-year-old on the street on August 1 and asked if if he could spare a few pounds.<\/p>\n
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The pensioner, who was on a mobility scooter, took out his wallet and gave Merritt \u00a33.10.<\/p>\n
Merritt then hugged the OAP – before grabbing the wallet and walking away.<\/p>\n
As the elderly man pleaded for it back, Merritt grinned and counted the large wad of \u00a320 banknotes from inside the wallet.<\/p>\n
The vile thief then dumped the wallet and pocketed the cash, which totalled \u00a31,100.<\/p>\n
Cops arrested Merritt six days later after recognising him from CCTV footage.<\/p>\n Merritt denied stealing the money, telling police the pensioner had agreed to buy a bike from him.<\/p>\n He pleaded not guilty to robbery but changed his plea to guilty on October 6.<\/p>\n The thief was jailed for four years at Nottingham Crown Court on Wednesday.<\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n Merritt was also banned from Worksop town centre for four years and ordered to pay a \u00a3228 victim surcharge.<\/p>\n The court heard Merritt has previous convictions relating to 118 offences – including theft, shoplifting, assault, breaching court orders and burglaries.<\/p>\n Detective Chief Inspector Nick Hall said: "Merritt\u2019s actions were cowardly in the extreme. <\/p>\n "He preyed on a vulnerable man knowing he would not be able to stop him making off with his money.<\/p>\n "When he asked for \u00a32, the elderly victim gave him that and more, out of the goodness of his heart.<\/p>\n "It was a kind act of generosity and so it was staggering that Merritt repaid the gentleman\u2019s empathy by robbing him of such a vast amount of money.<\/p>\n "It was an extremely cruel crime and I am pleased Merritt has been made to pay for his appalling actions.<\/p>\n "I hope the outcome at court provides the victim with some comfort in knowing that Merritt can no longer harm anybody in our communities.<\/p>\n "I\u2019d also like to thank the witnesses who came forward with information so that we could put Merritt behind bars."<\/p>\n<\/picture>STANDING FIRM <\/span><\/p>\n
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