A Big Issue vendor who stole £50 from a blind woman pleaded guilty at Croydon Crown Court last week.
Razvan Dumitru, 22, was found with the five £10 notes between copies of the magazine in his bag.
He will appear at Croydon Crown Court again for sentence on a date that has yet to be arranged.
“At this time of festive cheer and goodwill, it’s hard to imagine a less charitable act than stealing from a blind person,” said Detective Constable Lee Blunden, the investigating officer.
“We would like to thank those members of the public who came forward to help this victim.”
The 66-year-old woman was feeling inside her purse for a £1 coin to give to Dumitru outside Morrisons on Sutton’s High Street on Saturday 30 November.
The vendor took the opportunity to take five £10 notes from her purse, and the victim was told by a mother with two children what had happened.
A passing man asked the vendor to give the money back, but Dumitru denied taking it. Before Dumitru could leave the scene, the man held on to him and a member of the security staff at Morrisons came to help detain him.
Police were called and the sergeant was assisted by two passing off-duty police officers. The victim was reportedly over the moon with the help she received from members of the public and police, and would like to thank them for their support.
She told police she would regularly give the vendor £1 whilst shopping, but would not take a copy of the magazine because she could not read it.
Picture courtesy of Ray Forster, with thanks
