BOYS STOLE FROM DYING MAN!

Allesley Park

A former police superintendant has condemned the decision to let three boys off with a caution after they robbed a dying man.

The three yobs - two aged 10 and the third aged 11 - rifled Andrew Thomas' pockets after he collapsed from a heart attack in Allesley Park, Coventry! (boys robbed dying man!)

And at no point did they alert the police or passers-by to the 40 year-old's plight, which might have saved his life, as he later died in hospital - instead they ran off with his coat!

Detectives eventually arrested the three boys who were taken to Little Park Street police station where they were questioned about the death and theft before being released on bail, but have now been let off with a caution.

Last night, Ex West Midlands Police Chief Superintendent John Mellor said: "The age of these boys is really immaterial. They chose to steal from a man who was dying which shows their contempt for life and the fact they were brought up to believe they can take anything from anybody, under any circumstances.

"The fact they have got a caution is a tragic sign of the times and how we deal with such matters...we shouldn't be surprised next time a man or woman lying wounded or dead is robbed because we have this example of the leniency of the system and inability to stamp out crime of any description...I find this case both tragic and repugnant."

Mr Thomas, from Eastern Green, was a member of Coventry City Council's park staff.

He was found collapsed next to the pitch and putt kiosk in Allesley Park at 5pm on January 17 by two passing women.

They are understood to have called police and ambulancemen and tried to help the man. But he died soon afterwards in hospital.

Senior detectives were called in and a section of the park was sealed off. Forensic teams later removed items from the kiosk which leads into the pitch and putt course.

Two post mortem examinations revealed that Mr Thomas died of natural causes - from the effects of a massive heart attack.

It is believed police investigated whether there was a link between the theft and his death. But it was concluded that a direct link could not be made.

Police also struggled to ascertain whether the victim was aware that he was being stolen from, as the boys claimed he was un-conscious when they found him and did not move as they took his coat.

The 18-hole mini golf course, which attracts hundreds of people in the summer, borders the Allesley bypass and Allesley Old Road.

The kiosk is less than 100 metres from Allesley Hall nursing home and a children's play area.

An 83 year-old woman, whose home overlooks the park, said after Mr Thomas' death: "There is trouble here. The other day there was an explosion and someone had set fire to rubbish bins on the car park. Then a car was burnt out.

"The council spent £16,000 putting up bollards around the car park to lock it at night, but no-one ever comes to lock it up."

Nationwide, 350,000 criminals escaped with a caution in 2006 - an increase of 17 per cent.

Alarmingly, one in four burglars - 7,700 - and 58 per cent of violent attackers- 57,000 - received nothing more than a slap on the wrist.

Some 28 per cent of sex offenders - including 24 rapists - also escaped with a caution. Critics said the worrying figures reflected the enormous pressure police were under to hit Government targets on fighting crime. jeanette_oldham@mrn.co.uk

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