69-year-old hero gave chase after cash machine theft

9:00am Thursday 4th December 2008

PLUCKY pensioner Paul Nichols fought back when a thief tried to rob him of cash he had taken out for elderly neighbours.

Mr Nichols, 69, an RAF veteran, withdrew £170 from a cash machine in Regent Circus, Swindon, when thief Christopher White struck.

White, 21, took the cash and tried to make off on his bike, but Mr Nichols and a passer-by gave chase.

Putting his military training into action the pensioner grabbed the bike, hitting his attacker in the groin.

“He punched me down on the ground then kicked me to get away,” said the have-a-go hero.

“He said he was a drug addict.

“I could see the money in his pocket. But because he said he was an addict I didn’t want to grab it back in case he had needles in his pockets.

“The police got him the next day.”

Mr Nichols lives at Hastings Court, Wroughton, and was taking money out for female residents of the home.

The cash machine in Wroughton was out of order, so he travelled to Swindon to use the one in Regent Circus.

“The money was for the ladies who wanted cash because the cash machine was out in Wroughton,” said Mr Nichols, who works as a driver.

“The worst thing is these ladies are now worried about going out and getting cash in case something happens to them.

“They think if it could happen to me, then what chance do they have?”

White admitted robbing Mr Nichols and a second man on May 26. On Tuesday White, of Ely Close, Swindon, was found guilty of two more robberies against a pair of teenage boys.

Mr Nichols, who served in the parachute regiment, said: “I was out in Vietnam and I saw some terrible things. But old ladies and children shouldn’t be scared to go out. This shouldn’t be happening in this country.

“He also robbed these two kids. Their mums said they are too scared to go out on their bikes or into town now.

“I was in the parachute regiment, I could have looked after myself then.

“This other man and me could have given him a real hiding, but you never know what they are going to do.”