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Teenage handbag thief outpaced by 72-year-old ex-sprinter
Telegraph UK ^

Posted on 02/13/2009 3:34:38 PM PST by bethybabes69

A teenage thief picked on the wrong victim when she tried to run off with a bag belonging to pensioner Jean Hirst - a former championship sprinter.

The schoolgirl was surprised to discover her victim, a former All England Schools championship sprinter, still had a turn of pace - at the age of 72.

As Mrs Hirst gave chase, she soon began to close on the culprit who was forced to throw down the bag in her desperation to escape.

The retired teacher had allowed three teenage girls into her car to help her with directions after getting lost on the way to a theatre.

She was straight out of the starting blocks again, however, when one of them took advantage and tried to make off with her bag.

Mrs Hirst said: "Suddenly I felt 18 again. The adrenaline just kicked in and I seemed to turn back the years.

"She had a head start but I covered 70 yards in about 15 seconds and was within two strides of her when she looked over her shoulder and saw me.

(Excerpt) Read more at telegraph.co.uk ...


TOPICS: Crime/Corruption; Foreign Affairs; News/Current Events; United Kingdom
KEYWORDS: crime; england; justice; thief
Kudos Mrs Hirst, great spirit!
1 posted on 02/13/2009 3:34:39 PM PST by bethybabes69
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To: bethybabes69
that is hilarious. I bet the thief about crapped when seeing the lady catching up to her.
2 posted on 02/13/2009 3:38:43 PM PST by squidward
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To: squidward

It’s such a wonderful story isn’t it? She’s a true Brit!


3 posted on 02/13/2009 3:40:54 PM PST by bethybabes69
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To: bethybabes69
Ya gotta love a story like this. It reminds me of Jack Lalanne and how fit he still is...at age 94 +, no less.

These seniors are inspirational and give me something to shoot for.

4 posted on 02/13/2009 3:41:59 PM PST by Pablo64 (Political Correctness is a DISEASE. <==> TRUTH is the CURE.)
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To: bethybabes69
It's a good thing this woman didn't get her hands on the little thief, granny would likely face prison for failure to cooperate with aggressive wealth redistribution or something.
5 posted on 02/13/2009 3:45:18 PM PST by Dr.Zoidberg
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To: bethybabes69

Jean Hurst

6 posted on 02/13/2009 3:50:03 PM PST by Bullish ( Reality is the best cure for delusion.)
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To: bethybabes69

Kids really are fat and out of shape throughout the Western world.


7 posted on 02/13/2009 3:54:08 PM PST by Incorrigible (If I lead, follow me; If I pause, push me; If I retreat, kill me.)
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To: squidward

This is as good as the 84 year old ex-boxer who beat the crap out of a mugger.


8 posted on 02/13/2009 3:58:22 PM PST by Blood of Tyrants (The problem with socialism is that you eventually run out of other people's money. Margret Thatcher)
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To: bethybabes69

Great story!


9 posted on 02/13/2009 4:14:12 PM PST by smokingfrog (Is it just my imagination, or is the water in this pot getting a little too hot?)
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To: bethybabes69
I hope the authority's don't charge Granny with anything. Like scaring a juvenile or hurting the self esteem of a purse snatcher.
10 posted on 02/13/2009 4:18:44 PM PST by BBell
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To: Blood of Tyrants

I loved that story too.

Old people can be extremely strong or fast for a short duration. I learned that as a kid trying to play “tag” with my grandpa. That old fat bow legged chain smoking man OWNED you if you were within 20 feet of him.

What that meant was...if you were “it”, you weren’t EVER going to make him “it”. If you tagged him, he’d tag you right back in under ten steps.

Then there was my great grandpa...who could out work any man in his prime so long as it was a repetitive task that could be done while standing or sitting in one spot without bending over. His arms simply did NOT get tired. He could swing a hammer like a medieval blacksmith...dawn till dusk without pause...which made sense, he was a retired boilermaker from the days of bucking rivets.


11 posted on 02/13/2009 4:22:27 PM PST by mamelukesabre
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To: bethybabes69

Even odds that the British prosecute the old lady.


12 posted on 02/13/2009 4:33:05 PM PST by PAR35
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To: bethybabes69

Notice that Mrs. Hirst’s daughter “rebuked” her and said that the snatcher could have had a knife. Well Missy, your mother has a LOT MORE class and sass than you’ll ever have.

It’s people like your Mum that makes countries great, it’s people like yourself that make Chamberlains.

Thank you Mrs. Hirst!! Us old toots ain’t down yet!!


13 posted on 02/13/2009 5:36:49 PM PST by brushcop (SFC Sallie, CPL Long, LTHarris, SSG Brown, PVT Simmons KIA OIF lll&V, they died for you, honor them)
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To: bethybabes69

What a great story!


14 posted on 02/13/2009 5:53:04 PM PST by Eva (CHANGE- the post modern euphemism for Marxist revolution.)
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