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72 year old nun mugged yards from her convent

by mudricky | February 4, 2009 at 02:32 pm

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A nun wearing her habit has been mugged while walking through an English park.

The thief escaped with just an umbrella, a bus timetable and a bottle of water because 72-year-old Sister Lorna from St Mary's Convent, Wantage, Oxfordshire, had hidden her purse containing £12 in her habit.

She said: "I was shocked. I am 72 years old and I can't walk very fast any more. I was frightened he might come back.

"I've been here nearly 40 years and cannot remember anything like this happening to a nun.

"Luckily the thief didn't get my purse. Years ago I would put it in my handbag but because muggings are becoming common I started putting it in my pocket.

"I suppose it's a sign of the times that even nuns are not safe."

A 72-year-old nun has told of her shock after she was mugged while walking through a park dressed in her full habit.

Sister Lorna was on a short walk from her convent in Wantage, Oxfordshire, when a hooded man ran up behind her and snatched her handbag.

The thief escaped with just a bus timetable and a bottle of water because she had hidden her purse - containing £12 for the church collection - in her habit.

"I was aware someone was behind me so I tried to take a cut through to some houses," she said.

"But he crept up on me and grabbed my handbag. I was shocked. I am 72-year-old and I can't walk very fast any more.

"I was frightened he might come back. I've been here 40 years and cannot remember anything like this happening to a nun."

Sister Lorna, of St Mary's Convent, was not hurt in the incident but said she would now avoid wooded areas and keep to main roads.

PC Mark Haynes, of Thames Valley Police, said: "This crime has understandably left the victim shocked and upset.

"The handbag didn't contain anything of any value and it is sickening that a Sister of Mercy was targeted in this way."

The robber is described as white, aged 20-30, about 5ft 8in tall and clean shaven.

He wore dirty white trainers and a grey or beige hooded fleece.