Lady golfer takes firm grip on robber fleeing knifepoint cash raid

Clubbing: players at Perivale Golf Club, where a new member helped police catch an armed robber

A woman golfer helped foil a knifepoint robbery at her local club by grappling with a 21-year-old robber.

The 66-year-old novice, who had just arrived for her weekly lesson, grabbed the young man's collar as he tried to flee armed police.

The man and an accomplice had just robbed a security guard who had collected a cashbox containing £3,500 in takings.

Today officers paid tribute to the golfer known only as Barbara.

Detective Inspector Neil Williams, of the Tower Hill Flying Squad, said: "It was obviously a spontaneous decision to help us. She had not thought about her own safety and she should be praised for her bravery."

Flying Squad officers had been lying in wait in an armed stake-out at Perivale Golf Club near the A40 on Monday morning.

Two men wearing scarves covering their faces ran into the club and held a security vehicle guard at knifepoint, robbing him of the cashbox.

As they left they were challenged by specialist armed officers. One man, aged 20, attacked one officer with the cashbox, knocking him unconscious. He was held by other armed officers. But as a second man, aged 21, ran away through the club car park he encountered Barbara - described as "a tough one" - who had only recently joined the club and was taking her first lessons.

Mr Williams said: "She managed to grab hold of him as he ran past so officers could catch up. She grabbed his collar."

A third man, aged 19, was arrested nearby. "Barbara" calmly went on to complete her lesson after giving a statement to police.

Peter Bryant, a golf coach, said: "We had our lesson afterwards. She's a tough one. It didn't affect her. We just carried on.

"She's retired and used to live in Ealing but I don't know anything else about her. She didn't seem upset. She was saying that some other ladies invited her for a game afterwards."

The injured officer suffered face injuries and concussion and needed 19 stitches to his face and lip. He also suffered a broken bone in his hand and two broken fingers in the assault. He has been released from hospital.

A 20-year-old man was charged with robbery, possession of an offensive weapon and GBH with intent to resist arrest. A 21-year-old man and a 19-year-old man were charged with robbery. Tower Bridge magistrates' court yesterday remanded them in custody to appear at the Old Bailey in January.

If you know Barbara, please call the Evening Standard newsdesk on 020 7938 7161.

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