A passenger has snatched a walking stick and a wallet full of cash from an 84-year-old man he assaulted on a train, the Supreme Court has heard.
rosecutors claimed Gerard McCrory, 39, also stole the pensioner’s cellphone and ransacked his pockets.
McCrory, of Ballymurphy Parade in Belfast, has been denied bail on controversial robbery and theft charges.
Mr Justice Fowler said: “Elderly citizens need protection and this court will give them the protection they deserve.”
The victim is said to have been targeted after boarding a train from Belfast to Portadown on August 14 this year.
During the ride, he challenged another passenger, posing as Gerard, for allegedly taking his phone and a tin for storing tablets while he was in the restroom.
According to prosecutors, the man was then followed by McCrory as he got off the train at Derriaghy Station.
A Crown attorney claimed: “The video surveillance shows the complainant approaching the complainant, searching his pockets and pinning him against a railing.”
Although a train attendant intervened at the time, McCrory allegedly pursued the pensioner down an access ramp.
“His walking stick was taken from him and thrown away,” the prosecutor said.
“The complainant then took his £200 wallet, removed the cash, threw the wallet back at the complainant and walked away towards Lisburn.”
It was alleged he went into an e-cigarette shop in town later that day and used £10 and £20 notes to pay for £200 worth of products.
After his arrest, McCrory told police he couldn’t remember anything about the incident but insisted it was “not in his nature” to harass and steal from an elderly man.
He denied that it was he who appeared on CCTV footage of the incident.
On bail, the prosecutor said the victim suffered “severely”.
“He is struggling to leave home and will no longer ride the train. It severely limited his independence,” she added.
“It’s a very mean offense against a particularly vulnerable person.”
Michael Boyd, defending himself, stressed that McCrory denies carrying out the robbery and was not selected in an identification process.
“His life was decimated by drug addiction,” the attorney added.
However, Mr Justice Fowler ruled that McCrory must remain in custody.
The judge stated, “I’m afraid this man … is simply not a suitable candidate for bail.”
https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/courts/man-accused-of-snatching-walking-stick-and-wallet-from-84-year-old-train-passenger-refused-bail-42238744.html The man accused of stealing an 84-year-old train passenger’s walking stick and wallet has declined bail
