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Iranian refugee leaves pensioner 'terrified' in hometown after robbing her purse – but dodges jail time

gbnews.com · 9h · first reportShare

An Iranian national who left a pensioner "terrified" after snatching her purse has dodged jail time. Peyman Afrasiyabipour robbed the 69-year-old eucharistic minister, who was recovering from breast cancer, while she was walking along Gainsborough Avenue in South Shields. The pensioner screamed for help with two men hearing her and chasing him down and detaining the 27-year-old. Afrasiyabipour, of Reynolds Avenue, South Shields, was jailed for two years, suspended for two and a half years, after admitting robbery at Newcastle Crown Court. TRENDING Stories Videos Your Say The court heard how the woman was walking down the road at around 8pm on July 24 when Afrasiyabipour approached from behind. Prosecutor Kevin Wardlaw said Afrasiyabipour then grabbed her purse from her hand and pulled her arm down to try to grab her phone, which was attached to her wrist by a cord. Afrasiyabipour then ran off with the purse and the victim shouted for help, which alerted a man who lives in the area, who