Bag snatched from mobility scooter as disabled pensioner rode through Spalding churchyard

A disabled pensioner had a bag snatched from her mobility scooter on Thursday afternoon.

Sheila Maggs (76) had been to a bingo session and was making her way home at about 4pm when the theft happened in St Mary and St Nicolas Churchyard in Spalding. Two men approached and one took the bag out of the mobility scooter’s front basket.

The grey faux leather handbag contained about £42 and photos of her beloved dogs, one of which died recently.

Sheila with her three dogs, one of which has recently died
Sheila with her three dogs, one of which has recently died

Mrs Maggs is a well-known face around the town centre and on the riverside where she takes the dogs for a walk.

Her daughter Angela Kiely said: “She’s very shaken up and very upset at the moment. I can’t believe something like this has happened in Spalding.”

She added: “I know this is going to affect her and shake her confidence in going out.”

And Mrs Maggs’ granddaughter, Claire Taylor, of Spalding, said on Friday: “She told me she didn’t sleep at all last night.

“It really, really hurts to know this has happened to her.

“I suppose it could have been a hundred times worse – I’m just grateful she wasn’t hurt.”

Police say the suspects are white, of slim build and in their 20s. One wore a grey puffa jacket and a white cap. The men ran off in the direction of Halmergate.

Anyone with information is asked to call police on 101, quoting incident 305 of March 3.

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