Hero, 83, grabs armed thug

Kyt · Jan 31, 2009

Daily Express | UK News :: Hero, 83, grabs armed thug as others look on

OLD soldier Sidney Bannister’s plea for help was met by a wall of silence when he tackled a gunman single-handed in a betting shop.

The Second World War veteran grabbed the thug in a headlock as he tried to flee while cowardly customers looked on.

The 83-year-old grandfather was left battered and bruised and needing stitches as Henry Rockson, 30, beat him twice over the head with the butt of his gun before escaping.

Widower Sidney was hailed a hero by a judge this week when Rockson was jailed for 12 years.

Awarding him £200 from public funds, Judge Mushtaq Khokhar said: “He showed great public spiritedness.”

Sidney, a former HGV driver who saw wartime service with the Royal Artillery, said: “I’m very grateful for what the judge said but I wasn’t being brave.

“I just acted on human instinct like I thought most men would.

“I just wish those other blokes could have done more to help me. If just one of them had stepped in we might have got him then. Instead he got away.
Click to expand...

Kyt · Jan 31, 2009

Members of public ignore Second World War veteran as he grapples with robber - Telegraph

Sidney Bannister, an 83-year-old grandfather, grabbed Henry Rockson, 30, in a headlock as the robber was fleeing the bookmakers shop.

During the struggle he appealed to the nine other customers, mostly young men, to help him but they would not step in.

Rockson beat the pensioner twice over the head with the butt of the gun before escaping and carrying out further armed raids in other parts of the country.

"Maybe it is just a sign of the times that people do not want to get involved these days," said Mr Bannister.

"I am not exactly in my prime but in my day we were brought up to have a go and not be a shrinking violet when we saw something happening that was very wrong.

"I did not think about the gun or about being shot. I was more concerned about getting the guy so he would not be allowed to do this again.

"There were nine other blokes in the shop and most of them were either half my age or younger. I just wish one of them had shown some gumption."

Mr Bannister, a retired HGV driver, from Lees, near Oldham, initially declined hospital treatment for a head wound but later agreed to have stitches.

The widower, who served with the Royal Artillery Corps during the Second World War, and whose brother Bill, a Desert Rat was killed in action at the age of 23,

said: "I just wish those other blokes could have done more to help me.

"I was shouting at them to give me a lift and I had the guy but they just were not interested. I was very surprised.

"If just one of them had stepped in we might have got the bugger there and then. Instead he got away.

"I am very grateful for what the judge said but I was not being brave that day. I just acted on human instinct."

Rockson, of Peckham, London, admitted 20 offences including robbery attempted robbery having an imitation firearm with intent and handling stolen goods.

He asked for 13 other offences to considered, and was jailed for 12 years.

Judge Mushtaq Khokhar, sitting at Minshull Street Crown Court, Manchester, awarded Mr Bannister £200 from public funds for his "great public spiritedness."

The court heard Mr Bannister was at his local Coral bookmakers in Oldham placing a bet on the horses at 3.35pm on Aug 16 last year when Rockson walked in armed with a ball bearing gun.

Rockson went to the counter, pointed the gun at the cashier, and demanded she hand over the contents of the till.

She initially handed over 250 pounds, and then tried to hand over a further pounds 50 in change, but spilled coins over the floor. Mr Bannister blocked the door with a fire extinguisher.

As Rockson tried to escape Mr Bannister grabbed him in a headlock.

"During the struggle Mr Bannister asked others for help," said Jamie Hamilton, prosecuting. "But no-one came to help him. What he did, especially for a man of 83 years old, took some courage."
Click to expand...

Gage · Jan 31, 2009

Saw this in the paper, still got guts, unlike anybody else there.

Einzelkampfer · Feb 1, 2009

If the perp had a gun, why only 12 years? Or, is the enforcement of gun laws in the UK not that severe?

Bless 'em All...

Antipodean Andy · Feb 1, 2009

"Maybe it is just a sign of the times that people do not want to get involved these days," said Mr Bannister.
Click to expand...

Mr Bannister is from another generation - the one that has the guts to stand up for itself. If it happened again, he'd probably wade in again even if he suspected he wouldn't get any help based on his previous experience. What's the world coming too?

Log in or Sign up

Hero, 83, grabs armed thug

Kyt Άρης

Kyt Άρης

Gage New Member

Einzelkampfer Guest

Antipodean Andy New Member

Share This Page

Log in or Sign up

Hero, 83, grabs armed thug

Thread Tools

Kyt Άρης

Kyt Άρης

Gage New Member

Einzelkampfer Guest

Antipodean Andy New Member

Share This Page

Useful Searches