[Kerry]

THE grandmother who tackled a gang of robbers with her handbag spoke of her terrifying ordeal yesterday as it emerged she is a local hero who has helped clean up a crime-ridden estate.


Widow Ann Timson, 70, set about a gem gang trying to smash the windows of a jewellery store.

Undeterred by sledgehammers wielded by the motorcycle-helmeted thugs, the pensioner ran across to stop them.

Her bravery, filmed by a bystander, was shown on TV worldwide. She said: “I was standing talking with a woman when I heard a commotion and I looked across and saw six young men on scooters.

“At first I thought one was being set upon by three others.”

As she ran down the street in Northampton town centre to intervene, it became apparent they were trying to smash into the shop.

She said: “I was angry they felt they could get away with what they were doing in broad daylight.

“One shot off on a scooter and nearly hit a woman and baby in her buggy.

“I clobbered him with my shopping but he got away. The rest were still trying to smash in. I just kept swinging my bag. They tried to escape. I landed several blows against one lad on the back of a bike and brought him to the ground. He raised a hammer to me so I just kept hitting out and shouting. Several people came to help. I’m not a hero but somebody had to do something.” The group tried to flee on mopeds but one fell off. Passers-by held him until police arrived at Michael Jones Jeweller on Monday morning. Four men aged 18, 22, 25 and 39 have been arrested. Mrs Timson earned a reputation for fighting crime near her council flat on the town’s once notorious Spring Boroughs Estate.

Story from the Daily Express