Robber who snatched pensioner's earrings is jailed
A robber who ripped gold earrings off a pensioner in the street has been locked up. after he was identified following a police appeal.
Inderjit Singh Dhaliwal tore the jewellery from the ear of his 66 year-old victim as she walked along Church Hill Street, Smethwick, near Smethwick Rolfe Street station.
Dhaliwal had followed the woman off the bus from the High Street and grabbed the sentimental earrings - leaving the woman injured - at just after 2pm on May 26.
The 40 year-old jumped on another bus but the victim and her friend managed to flag it down.
However, as the injured woman tried to approach Dhaliwal he pushed past, knocking one of them over, before running off.
Officers released CCTV in a bid to trace Dhaliwal who was quickly recognised by the public - leading to his arrest in early July.
Dhaliwal, of Bearwood Road, Bearwood, pleaded guilty to robbery and assault and was jailed for two years and 10 months at Wolverhampton Crown Court on Friday (August 11).
Detective Constable Sarah Forster, from Force CID, said: "This was a particularly nasty robbery where the victim not only suffered the trauma of having her sentimental earrings taken but the pain of having them ripped off.
"Thanks to the help of the public we were able to identify Dhalilwal and make sure he faced justice.
"He will now have time behind bars and hopefully reflect on the suffering he caused the victim both emotionally and physically."
