Old family photos have been returned to the Ferryhill robbery victim

Glen Wayman grabbed the woman’s handbag and threw it to the ground when they crossed paths in Ferryhill on Sunday morning, July 30.

As The Northern Echo reported, the 78-year-old pedestrian walked up to a man who was trying to let the defendant pass on Church Lane last Thursday (September 7), but he then grabbed her bag, causing her to fall and hit her in the face a wall.

The victim suffered injuries to his face and hand and was severely shaken by the incident.

Read more: Ex-soldier targeted 78-year-old pedestrian in Ferryhill

But she was said to be afraid of being in public, especially whenever someone approached or passed her on the street.

She was also “devastated” when her handbag contained valuable family photographs showing her father and husband in the bag Wayman had snatched from him as he headed towards the back of Kensington Gardens in Ferryhill fled.

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Durham Crown Court was told about £200 and her bus pass were also taken.

An investigation was launched and upon reviewing CCTV footage, PCSO identified David Evans Wayman, who matched the description of the suspect fleeing the scene.

The 47-year-old suspect, of Kelvin Street, Ferryhill, was subsequently arrested and although he initially made no comment, he later admitted the crime.

He told officers he threw away the victim’s purse as he ran away.

By searching several gardens, bushes and hedges, officers were able to return the handbag to the victim and reunite it with her treasured family photos.

Wayman was then charged with robbery, which he admitted in court.

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The former soldiers are said to have been unemployed and addicted to heroin at the time of the crime.

He was sentenced to three years in prison and also ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £228.

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After closing the case, Sergeant Pete Newman from Durham Constabulary’s Ferryhill Neighborhood Policing Team described the impact of the crime on Wayman’s victims.

“This was a horrific incident for the victim, who was left shaken and upset following the attack.

“Thankfully, officers were able to reunite the woman with her treasured family photos, and we hope that knowing Wayman is now behind bars can help her find resolution.”