ON Saturday evening, (June 30), I was walking through Blackburn Cathedral grounds when I was alerted by the screams of an elderly lady 100 yards in front of me.

She had just been mugged by a young man who I saw making a getaway in the direction of Fleming Square. This callous swine had robbed her of her handbag containing cash, but, more importantly, her house keys.

I was too far behind to have any hope of catching this person. In any case, I was far more concerned with the lady's elderly male companion who was in tears and near to collapsing with exhaustion, having made a gallant attempt to chase the thief.

The fact that an old lady was robbed in our town centre in broad daylight was worrying. The look of anxiety, complete desperation and the hopelessness of the situation the couple had just endured was to me the most upsetting.

I doubt that this young man will even give a thought for the potential consequences of his heartless deed.

JOHN VAUGHAN, Higher Church Street, Blackburn.