Friday 21 November 2008

Student threatened with knife in Harcourt Road mugging

A University of Sheffield student was left feeling "shocked" and "angry" after being threatened with a knife and mugged, all for the sake of £12.

Andrew Pickering, of Springvale Road, Crookesmoor, was crossing the junction between Crookes Valley Road and Harcourt Road when a man approached the 22-year-old and demanded he hand over his wallet.

When Pickering refused, the offender became increasingly pushy and aggressive, leaving the student feeling he had no other alternative than to do what the man had asked.

The victim, who is studying for a Masters in International Political Economy, was walking along Crookes Valley Road on his way home from the Information Commons at around 11pm on Monday, November 17.

Pickering said: "The man asked me to hand over my wallet. When I refused he said that he had a knife and would use it if I did not do as he said.

"He had his hand in his pocket like he was holding a knife.

"I asked him to show me the knife if he had one but the man refused.

"He then became more aggressive and I decided it wasn’t worth pushing it so handed over my wallet. The man then walked off down Harcourt Road."

He then decided to follow the man down the road, asking him to take the money but leave the wallet. After a series of exchanges, the man took the £12 from the wallet and left it on the bonnet of a car.

Pickering said it was a "bit odd" that this had happened in a fairly public place and that he had never experienced anything of this nature before.

He has reported the incident to the police who have taken an e-fit of the attacker .
Union Welfare Officer Kathryn Axon has warned students about their safety at night.

She said: "Students should try to walk home in groups and keep the amount of money and valuable items they carry to an absolute minimum.

"Male students should be as cautious as females in these situations, especially when knives are concerned.

"Threats by knives are rare but it is important that students take precautions."

Police are looking for a man of Asian descent, slim in build and 5’9" in height.


Katie-Marie Bailey

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