Heartbreak as thief raids tsunami stall
Jonathan Gardiner
Two primary school children have been left traumatised after a teenage thug robbed them of the money they were raising for tsunami victims.
In what Paddington Green Police have called a "nasty and despicable crime", up to £50 was snatched from the youngsters in Elgin Avenue on Sunday.
Cosimo Mannocci, 10, set up a stall outside his house in Maida Vale, selling refreshments, old toys and books with the help of classmate Edie Connealy. They put up posters on the street to advertise the good cause.
Cosimo's mother, Ros Barker, said: "It was very sweet and they were really keen. I was all for it because I could keep an eye on the stall from the house. The front door was open at all times. I was security conscious.
"People were incredibly generous, whatever they were given went into a Sellotaped collection box. It was 20p for a cup of tea, but people were putting pounds in. They must have had £50 or £60.
"There were two girls at the stand buying biscuits, and according to them there was a teenager, aged about 17, in a hood looking shifty. He reached over, picked up the box, shook it and put it down again, then he grabbed it and ran," she said.
The teenage girls gave chase, screaming at him as he ran off in the direction of Essendine Road where he disappeared.
Ms Barker said she immediately rushed out when she heard the commotion, but the criminal had already gone.
"Cosimo and Edie were absolutely shocked and upset. It was disbelief for the two of them. My son said he wanted to move out of London. He couldn't sleep the following night," she added.
Edie's father, Liam Daniel, said: "They had been so encouraged by people giving money and all of a sudden their day was ruined and it shook their faith in humanity.
"It's a lesson not to trust everyone. They probably met a hundred good people that day and one guy comes along and blows their little world and shakes their confidence.
"It's a bad thing to steal money but stealing from children who are raising money for charity is really low. I hope he gets caught. If he is prepared to do that, what will he do next time?"
Both children are in year six at Borrow Hill Junior School in Bridgeman Street, St John's Wood. Headteacher Michael Matthews said the cosmopolitan make-up of the school meant pupils were acutely aware of global events.
The school's track record in raising money for good causes had inspired Cosimo and Edie to do their bit as well.
"They showed such care and compassion and learned a hard lesson in what human nature can be like. It's dreadful," said Mr Matthews.
The police are looking for a 6ft white male, about 18 years old. He was wearing an olive green three-quarter length coat, a dark hooded sweatshirt and dark trousers. Anyone with information should contact PC Gorringe at Paddington Green Police on 020-73217989.
jon.gardiner@wood-vale.com
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