Having been “rugby tackled” to the ground, former BBC broadcaster Jan Leeming battled off a bag thief in a “sleepy” before the thief left with nothing in a getaway car.
Ms. Leeming, 80, claims that she was attacked while her friends were using the ATM in a “sleepy small village” in France, leaving her “extremely disturbed” and with a “quite deep graze” on her arm.
The man initially approached the former news anchor, seeming “courteous” and “stretching his hand” to her before “rugby tackling” her to the ground.
After the event, she posted on Twitter, saying: “Horrid experience. Pals were attacked near an ATM they were using.
Young man, who seemed friendly, stuck out his hand. I took it like a first-rate moron being polite. to the ground in a rugby tackle.
The bag was on my arm; he missed it. I have a six-inch gash on the back of my hand and arm.
It was horrible, but it was well planned out with a getaway car, she continued. My head was almost touching the approaching automobile.
“Think there was CCTV but he was wearing a mask – car turned left so pals couldn’t grab the number plate,” the report reads.
35 years have passed since her robbery at the BBC.
It “brought up memories of the mugging” at the corporate offices, according to Ms. Leeming.
In 1987, three trespassers attacked her for her handbag and doused her in ammonia before she fled hysterically into the newsroom.
In response to today’s condolence tweets, she added: “He suggested she use the ATM before him and may have stolen her cash.”
He then extended his hand and asked if I spoke French. I interpreted it as a cordial act. He then tackled me to the ground at that point.
Even if he were to be found, I seriously doubt that he would receive anything more severe than a whack on the knuckles and a warning not to do it again. The Law has softened in numerous ways.
What might one transport? pepper vaporizer. No matter how severe the crisis, we cannot plan for it because otherwise we would batten down the hatches and do nothing. One must survive.
Although the ATM had CCTV, the assailant was wearing a mask, and the getaway car made an almost immediate left around a corner, preventing friends from capturing the number plate, which was probably fake anyhow.
When friends called the number, it went to answer because the gendarmerie was closed. zero possibility of catching them.
Please don’t be alarmed. I’m completely OK and haven’t been at all traumatised. I was only bruised, sore, and had a huge dressing on my arm.
I sincerely appreciate all of your kindness and well wishes.