A “cowardly” robber has been jailed for targeting an elderly deaf woman on the escalators of Westminster Tube station in central London.
Liam McGuicken, 53, stalked the victim in her 80s from behind as she travelled down towards the platform.
Her companion, also deaf, was unaware of what had been occurring behind them.
McGuicken put his hands against the woman’s chest, pinning her against the handrail.
She couldn’t hear what he was saying, but turned her face away in fear.
McGuicken reached into a coat pocket and stole her wallet before getting off of the escalator at the bottom.
As he got an escalator back up to the London Underground station’s exit, CCTV footage shows him rifling through the purse.
McGuicken, of no fixed address, was arrested a month later at Sutton railway station after he was stopped by officers in connection with fare evasion.
At Inner London Crown Court on Friday, he was sentenced to 16 months imprisonment, having pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing.
British Transport Police Detective Inspector Alan Judd said: “McGuicken sickeningly targeted an elderly deaf woman as she was making her way through the station, cowardly choosing to target a vulnerable woman for his own gain.
“I’m very pleased with the result, and I sincerely hope McGuicken takes this opportunity to change.
“His conviction sends a strong message that robbery will not be tolerated on the railway network.”
Anyone who is the victim of a robbery or who witnessed one, can call BTP on 0800 40 50 40, or text 61016.
