“Drowning baby” con: Grandfather robbed after heroism

November 2, 2009 by Baby Chums  
Filed under: News, Weird

 

Leave a comment

hand_cuffs_police_lightsA sickening and bizarre con duped a grandfather into wading for, what he thought was a drowning baby. The scam happened near Portsmouth in Hampshire, UK on Wednesday at 10:30 in the morning. Abandoning his coat to jump into the water the thieves made off with £100 and some tobacco.

The grandfather, John White, 48, was dog-walking with his wife when a couple ran out of bushes claiming a swan had attacked their child pointing to a nearby lake.

Mr White then saw a baby, clothed and with shoes on, floating in the water face down.

Taking off his coat, Mr White jumped into the waist-deep water while his wife and dog waited nearby just out of sight.

However, when Mr White grabbed the baby’s leg he realised it was a doll.

As he tried to get back to the path he was squirted in the face with an unidentified liquid from a plastic bottle, burning his nose and eyes.

The thieves dropped the jacket, then fleeing through the Foxes Forest park area they disappeared.

Mr White, an angina sufferer said: “I feel stupid that I fell for a trick. I thought I was trying to help someone. The incident makes me feel like next time someone asks for help, I should just walk past.

“The thieves are playing dangerous, dangerous games. I think they’re sick. They need to be caught before they go one step further.”

The male is described as slim, aged 20 to 25, around 5ft 7 ins and wearing a beanie hat and a dark zip-up top. The woman was a few years older, around 5ft 2 ins, wearing a sky-blue hoodie, with short brown hair cut in a bob.

Detective Constable Chris Dinenage said: “We are appealing for any witnesses who may have seen the man or woman carrying the dummy child prior to the incident or if they saw the incident taking place.”

[Post to Twitter]  [Post to Delicious]  [Post to Digg]  [Post to Reddit]  [Post to StumbleUpon] 

Welcome back! If you love Baby Chums, please subscribe to our RSS feed.
Thanks for dropping by and enjoy!


Read More related stories...
Phil Collins becomes a Grandfather as daughter Joely Collins becomes a mum
For the first time 58-year-old Phil Collins has become a...
Robert De Niro is a Grandfather!
Robert De Niro is celebrating after becoming a grandfather on...
Poppy appeal thieves in the Headington area of Oxford - Police need your help
Shocking CCTV footage has captured a young couple stealing a...
Your Ad Here
Bambino Direct

Comments

Tell us what you're thinking...
and oh, if you want a pic to show with your comment, go get a gravatar!





Recent Posts

Kelsey Grammer Expecting Fifth Child with New GirlfriendKelsey Grammer Expecting Fifth Child with New Girlfriend

Actor Kelsey Grammer, 55, confirmed the news that he will be a father for the fifth time next year. The actor is expecting a... »

Halle Berry Voted Hottest Celebrity MomHalle Berry Voted Hottest Celebrity Mom

The readers of askmen.com voted Halle Berry as the hottest celebrity mom or "MILF" according to the actual title of the... »

Peter Andre Planning on Releasing Children’s Book SeriesPeter Andre Planning on Releasing Children’s Book Series

The father of two revealed that he will be publishing a series of children's books. Peter Andre confirmed that he will be... »

Singer Alanis Morissette Announces She is PregnantSinger Alanis Morissette Announces She is Pregnant

Alanis Morissette revealed in the latest issue of US Magazine that she is expecting her first child. The singer didn't... »

Race Car Driver Jeff Gordon Welcomes a SonRace Car Driver Jeff Gordon Welcomes a Son

The NASCAR driver and his wife Ingrid Vandebosch welcomed their second child, a son. Jeff Gordon is now a proud father of a... »

Robbie Williams and Ayda Field Expecting a Baby?Robbie Williams and Ayda Field Expecting a Baby?

Rumors are circulating that Robbie Williams and his new wife Ayda Field are expecting a baby. The couple just married this... »

Lily Allen Keeps it Casual as She Performs Last Gig Before BabyLily Allen Keeps it Casual as She Performs Last Gig Before Baby

Singer Lily Allen kept her performance at Big Chill casual and practical for a woman who is three months pregnant. Unlike... »

Rod Stewart and Penny Lancaster Expecting Another ChildRod Stewart and Penny Lancaster Expecting Another Child

Rod Stewart is going to be a dad again at the age of 66 as his wife Penny Lancaster is expecting the couple's second child... »

Coco Arquette May Make Big Screen Debut in Scream 4Coco Arquette May Make Big Screen Debut in Scream 4

According to David Arquette who will be reprising his role in the Scream movie with his wife Courtney Cox Arquette, his... »

Amy Poehler Welcomes Second SonAmy Poehler Welcomes Second Son

Actress Amy Poehler and husband Will Arnett welcomed their second son on Friday, August 6th. The former Saturday Night Live... »

    ITN News Entertainment Videos

    Loading...