Brierley Hill mugging victim helped after Express & Star readers pledge cash

Seventy-eight-year-old Roy Weston was robbed in Brierley Hill after picking up his and his wife's weekly pension from the post office.

Last year he was diagnosed with terminal prostate cancer, and the disease has spread to his bones.

Consequently, when a man and woman pounced on him outside Pepe's hairdressers in the High Street at around 9.20am on Monday, he was unable to fight back.

After the mugging was reported in the Express & Star, readers offered to make donations and a crowdfunding page has also been set up to try to raise some money for Mr and Mrs Weston.

David Webb, who set up the page, is hoping to raise £200 for the couple and donations have already started to come in. Just under £100 has been raised so far.

Others have also come forward wanting to do their bit.

Another man has contacted the Express & Star through Facebook and offered to pay the stolen amount in full.

The man, who wants to stay anonymous, said: "I have just read the terrible story of Mr Weston having his pension stolen from him in Brierley Hill.

"I am an ex-pat Wulfrunian currently living in Italy and this story has made me sad. Angry would be wrong I think, sad just to see and read how bad things have become back home."

Wayne Martin also got in contact with this newspaper wanting to donate money.

And reader Jack Kirwan said: "Is there a go fund me page for these people? I'd chuck a fiver in, and I'm sure lots of other people will chuck a couple of quid in to help them? Poor bloke is suffering enough."

Recounting his traumatic experience, Mr Weston, who lives in Brierley Hill, said: "I left the wife in the hairdressers and went to the post office.

"I went back to the hairdressers and as I opened the door a man and a woman came from behind me and pushed me into the hairdressers. Before I realised it, my money had gone."

The former employee of Marsh and Baxter meat factory lives with his wife Maureen, 76. The couple are now terrified about making their usual trips to the town centre.

Mr Weston added: "We are frightened to go up the town. I'll always be looking behind and I have been going for years and years."

West Midlands Police are continuing to appeal for information about the crime and anyone with information is urged to contact them on 101 or to call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Donations can be made at www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/david-webb-2