Jail For Robber Who Threw Bicycle At Woman

Police said shocking level of force used in Chiswick bag snatch

A man has been jailed for four years after he threw a bike at a woman whom he was trying to rob in Chiswick.

Mark Weirich (38) of Starfield Road, W12 cycled up behind the 33-year-old woman pedestrian on the A4 underpass at Sutton Lane North/Cedars Road on the evening of April 14 last at around 20:45 and snatched her large patent handbag.

Weirich, who at the time had been wearing a black cycling helmet, white t-shirt, high visibility vest and black cycling shorts, then made off with the bag.

The woman tried to stop him and she gave chase to try and grab him. Weirich then hit her a number of times across her face with her own handbag, bringing her down to the pavement.

Weirich then threw his pedal cycle on to her so violently that it left an impression of the bike's tyre on her jaw line. Weirich then got back onto the bike and cycled away westbound along the A4 towards Chiswick roundabout.

Police were called and the woman received medical attention from the London Ambulance Service for treatment of injuries to her face. She has since made a good recovery.

Weirich was arrested 10 days later and picked out by his victim, who has made a good recovery from her facial injuries, in an identity parade.

He pleaded guilty and was sentenced at Kingston Crown Court on September 2 to four years imprisonmen for robbery.

Detective Constable Matt McGreig said: "The level of force used against the victim is shocking and I pay tribute to her courage in coming forward and being instrumental in the identification of Weirich.

"I am pleased that the courts have recognised the seriousness of the offence and the overwhelming evidence against Weirich, who will now have to face the consequences of his appalling actions behind bars."

September 16, 2014