Gran beats of thug with her walking stick

Margaret Bilsland was walking home from Cumbernauld town centre at lunch time with friend Nan Alexander when a teenage girl tried to snatch her bag.

Margaret said: "The girl began to talk to us, we replied then continued walking.

"I had my handbag in my hand and I felt my arm being pulled back. I swung round to face the girl and she continued to hang on to my bag.

"My walking stick was in my right hand and I just reacted automatically. It was the bottom of my stick that hit her on the head and it took three attempts before she let go."

The girl, who is thought to be about 18 years old, fled the scene followed by a man.

Margaret and Nan, who live in Seafar, then informed the police of the incident.

Although shaken by the incident both Margaret and Nan, who also uses a walking stick, say it has not put them off venturing into town.

Nan said: "I'm always out walking and it's not put me off doing that, but I will be more careful about what I carry with me, and I think others should be too."

Police are appealing for anyone with any information to come forward.

The girl is thought to be around 5ft 2ins tall with a small face and sharp features.

She was wearing a brown bomber style jacket with a fur hood and black tight trousers tucked into calf length boots. The man was aged between 25 and 30 with greasy hair.

To contact Cumbernauld Police call 01236 503900, or you can call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.