Pickpocket targets 92-year-old woman in Rayleigh High Street

Dawn Keys, 54, has been left furious and disgusted after her 92-year-old mum, June Docherty, was a victim of a pickpocket whilst out shopping yesterday.

June had her purse stolen, which contained a sentimental photograph of her late husband, £200 in cash, and several personal cards.

Her daughter Dawn has described her mother’s distress and deep upset over losing the cherished photo and being targeted by such a "disgusting" crime.

Dawn said: “My mum and I try to go out once a month in Rayleigh as she likes to visit the charity shops. She is disabled as she broke her hip, and walkers with a walker.

“We when to the bank first, where she got some money out, before going to Rayleigh Lanes to look at some clothes.

“We then headed to the old-fashioned sweet shop, where she purchased some sweets, and then put her purse in her pocket.

“We then carried on to Bernardo’s charity shop, and both were browsing around in there. She saw a jumper she liked, and as we have gone to the counter to pay, she put her hand in her pocket, and said my purse has gone.

“I searched all her bags, pockets, and it was nowhere. It is really deep pockets too, so it can’t have fallen out.

“We followed our path back to the sweet shop, and the lady in there, also said she saw my mum put it in her pocket after paying.”

Dawn said her mum was absolutely distraught by the incident.

The purse stolen has been described as red, and leather. The photo is a small passport sized image in black and white.

She added: “She was in such a state, so upset. It is terrible.

“My dad passed away 24 years ago now, and she has always carried that photo of him in her purse. She is devastated she has lost that photo, to have something so sentimental taken.

“We are still in shock. She says she doesn’t want to go out anymore.

“You never think something like this would happen to you, especially in Rayleigh.

"To prey on a 92-year-old woman with a walker is just disgusting. We still can’t believe it.”