Tesco ATM robber drags elderly woman to ground in ‘easy cash’ robbery spree

A teenage robber who dragged an elderly woman to the ground by her purse in a string of robberies has been jailed for three-and-a-half years.

Nathaniel Leid, 18, stalked his victims at a cash machine outside a Tesco supermarket, pushing them out of the way before ripping a handful of notes from the machine.

He struck five times in just two weeks, leaving victims terrified of using public ATMs in the future, Croydon Crown Court heard.

One of the victims, Sylvia Knight, was followed by Leid as she shopped at Tesco in Thornton Heath, south London, before being robbed on her way home to sheltered accommodation.

“She went into Tesco on Brigstock Road and was seen being followed and chased by Leid,” said prosecutor Jane Carpenter.

“Ms Knight was unaware that another person was following her. She finished her shopping and used the house to withdraw £200.

“While being chased and chased by Leid, she made her way to her home where Leid grabbed her shoulder bag and attempted to steal it.

“Ms Knight held on to the belt, which allowed Leid to swing her until she fell to the floor.

“A neighbor was yelling at Leid to leave her alone, and he ran away, leaving his handbag behind.”

The court heard Ms Knight suffered a fractured and dislocated shoulder from which she may not fully recover.

“She is scared and anxious to go home and get out,” the prosecutor added.

The robbery came at the end of a string of robberies by Leid last October.

“Each time he is seen on CCTV following the victims as they withdraw cash and timing his movement perfectly to ensure he can move the victim out of the way and steal their money before they can get back on their feet,” said Ms. Carpenter.

Sentencing him to three-and-a-half years in a young offenders’ institution, Recorder Paul Keleher QC said: ‘This was a campaign of violent crime which has only been thwarted by your arrest.

“It was your choice to stalk people and attack them while they were withdrawing cash as you say to ‘make easy money’.

“You have caused other people suffering and loss through your actions, and this has a serious effect on their ability to enjoy life.”

The court heard that Leid named a 14-year-old boy who he says was also involved in the robberies with him.

Leid, of Bromley, admitted five counts of robbery.

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