'Truly despicable' robber tied up 88-year-old and stole sentimental photos

A “TRULY despicable” robber tricked a pensioner, aged 88, before tying him up and stealing his wallet with sentimental photos.

- By DAVID POWELL

The victim begged Billy Bowen not to take the pictures but he was ignored.

Victim Benjamin Thomas' hands had been tied in front of him. It took him several minutes to free himself.

He rang police and his family. But he was badly shaken and barely able to breathe afterwards, Mold Crown Court heard.

Bowen, of no fixed address, admitted robbery, false imprisonment and burglary which occurred in Wrexham in September.

He also admitted another burglary committed when he smashed the window of a restaurant in Priory Street, Wrexham, taking a safe later the same night.

A judge yesterday branded Bowen "truly despicable". For robbing Mr Thomas he jailed him for nine years with an extended period of two years on licence.

Prosecutor Emmalyne Downing said Mr Thomas had gone shopping on September 22. He returned home and put his groceries inside his home.

He came out to put his car in the garage and found Bowen in his driveway. Bowen said he was a gardener and had cut himself showing him a “large cut”, said Ms Downing.

Bowen asked Mr Thomas for a plaster.

Mr Thomas went upstairs to a bedroom and noticed a brick and broken glass on the floor.

Mr Thomas took a plaster from a drawer and gave it to Bowen, who had followed him. But Bowen asked for another.