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Upset of the war veteran robbed of bingo prize.

by Lee Sykes
16/ 7/2008

AN 86-year-old war veteran has spoken exclusively to the Advertiser about the shock of being robbed of his £1,000 winnings just moments after leaving the Mecca Bingo hall in Oldham.

Lees Binns was targeted at about 9pm on Sunday outside the club on John Street. He was walking a short distance to where a friend was parked when mugged.

Deeply shaken, he is also upset with the club for its security procedures, although Mecca has disputed many of the criticisms made.

Mr Binns said: "I have been going to the club for 20 years and have won a time or two before."

He claimed that on this occasion he was not given the option of being paid in a back office and had the money handed to him at a front counter where others could see.

"I do not think it was right to do that," he said this week.

What happened next is beyond any dispute.

"I get picked up by a friend who parks around the corner, but as soon as I left someone pounced on me from behind and I hit my head on the floor. They went straight for the pocket which the money was in, so they clearly knew where it was. It was very upsetting and I can do without this at my age."

Mr Binns suffered a head injury, bruising to his arm and was left very shaken.

PC Rukhsana Kauser, from Oldham Police, said: "To target an elderly man in this way defies belief. Seconds before the attack he had left the bingo hall with his winnings. It looks like someone has been opportunistic and spotted him setting off home with his cash winnings."

A spokesman for Mecca Bingo said: "We’re shocked and saddened by what has happened. We are always happy to offer members who win any amount of money, be it large or small, the option to receive the winnings in the form of a cheque or to come and collect the winnings at a later date.

"Also, we are always happy to arrange a taxi for any members who wins, but in this incidence the gentlemen informed staff that he had already organised a lift."

Mr Binns, who served in North Africa in World War Two, is recovering at home in Clarksfield and his daughter has travelled up from Cambridge to look after him.

He didn’t get a good look at the robber so there is no description.

Anyone with information should call police on 0161 872 5050 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.