A brave schoolgirl fought off a dog owner who tried to steal her phone.
The would-be robber was left empty handed when he tried to snatch items from two people in the space of minutes in early morning attacks in Accrington.
Paul Coulwell has now been jailed for his attempts to rob a 40-year-old woman and a girl aged 11. At around 8am on Friday May 10 2024, Couldwell approached the woman from behind as he was walking a dog in King Street, Accrington.
He made a grab for her handbag, but she held on to it while Couldwell’s dog – by now off the leash – was running round her. Couldwell and the dog ran off towards Asda, as members of the public went to the the woman’s assistance.
Just five minutes later he spotted a girl was walking on Queens Road West, looking at her mobile phone. Couldwell, again walking his dog, went past her before trying to grab the phone out of her hand. The girl bravely clung on to the phone, screamed, and Couldwell ran off.
The 34-year-old, of Meadoway, Church, Accrington, pleaded guilty in November to attempted robbery in relation to trying to steal the woman’s handbag, and attempted theft regarding the girl’s phone. When he appeared for sentence at Preston Crown Court today (10th January), he was jailed for two years.
Det Con Vicky Heys of Lancashire Police, said: “Paul Couldwell targeted two victims – one them a child – in a matter of minutes in Accrington and tried to steal from them.
“Both victims were walking alone and Couldwell targeted them. They were terrified. I welcome the prison sentence imposed by the judge, it sends the message that offences like this will not be tolerated.”
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