Cirencester man pleads guilty to Swindon purse theft
A man who stole a woman’s purse in Swindon town centre has been handed a community order.
The victim, a woman in her 70s, reported being “jostled” by a passing man while she was shopping in The Parade on the afternoon of 11 April this year.
When she went to pay for her items, she realised her purse had been stolen from her handbag and called the police.
PC Paul Bezzant, who works in the town centre, viewed CCTV and was able to identify suspect Simon Ambler.
He was subsequently spotted by PC Bezzant in the town the following day and, when he got on a bus, police pulled the bus over in Cricklade High Street and arrested him.
Ambler, 44, of Ashcroft Road, Cirencester, pleaded guilty to one count of theft.
He appeared at Swindon Magistrates Court yesterday (08/06) for sentencing and was given a community order and ordered to pay £90 in compensation.
PC Bezzant said: "We know that this sort of crime causes upset and frustration for local people, and we hope this case proves that we do take these offences seriously and will work hard to identify suspects and ensure they are brought to justice."