Vic: War vet robbery victim warns attackers to stop stealing

AAP General News (Australia)
04-22-2010
Vic: War vet robbery victim warns attackers to stop stealing

By Edwina Scott

MELBOURNE, April 22 AAP - A World War II veteran robbed of pokies' winnings says his
attackers should stop stealing before they end up in jail.

Reg Dickinson, 96, was returning to his nursing home residence in a motorised scooter
about 7.30pm (AEST) on Wednesday after a daily flutter at the local Werribee Tavern in
Melbourne's west.

As he turned into the Heathglen Lodge driveway a man and woman aged in their 20s grabbed
and dragged Mr Dickinson off his scooter.

The pair searched his pockets and stole $20, before leaving the British veteran lying
on the ground.

He was discovered by a fellow resident about 30 minutes later, with some bruising and
a large gash to his elbow.

But on Thursday the former Rat of Tobruk was all smiles, despite "a bit of a shock".

A botched hip replacement operation 18 months ago has left Mr Dickinson unable to walk,
and he turns to the pokies for company after the recent death of his wife Gladys.

"I'm strong enough," he grinned.

His son Paul and daughter-in-law Mary said they were "very relieved" Mr Dickinson had
recovered so quickly from the attack.

"We thought he'd be a lot worse," Mary said.

"We tell him not to carry money with him, but he insists on it."

Mr Dickinson, who drove trucks in Italy, France and Egypt during World War II, migrated
to Australia from the UK 29 years ago to start a better life.

Following his ordeal, Premier John Brumby has offered him a chance to participate in
the Anzac parade in central Melbourne on Sunday.

"It would make a complete change, I've never been in the parades here," Mr Dickinson told AAP.

"I would like to go."

Mr Dickinson had a message for his attackers:

"Get out of that before you get any older and you get worse," he warned.

"It'll get you nowhere, only prison, that's all."

Mr Brumby condemned the attack.

"For people to assault and rob someone, firstly of that age, it's just disgusting,
I don't understand that, I don't think Victorians understand that," he told reporters.

Police are appealing for anyone who may have witnessed the attack to contact CrimeStoppers.

The man is described as caucasian, aged in mid 20s, medium build, short brown hair,
wearing blue jeans, a grey hat, a white hooded jumper and white shoes.

The woman is described as slim build with olive skin, long light-brown hair tied in
a pony tail, wearing black leggings, a white t-shirt and thongs.

AAP ees/pmu/ht

KEYWORD: ANZAC ROB WRAP (PIX AVAILABLE)

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