Anger as yobs prey on vulnerable Blackburn woman (From Blackburn Citizen)

Anger as yobs prey on vulnerable Blackburn woman

5:00pm Thursday 23rd April 2009

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A VULNERABLE woman who has autism and epilepsy had £70 taken from her by yobs in a “disgusting” attack.

Theresa Murphy, 23, was on a trip to the gym on her own in Blackburn town centre when she was “bullied” into handing over the cash to yobs.

Her mother Sharon, 46, said she was appalled at the incident which resulted in Theresa having her first epileptic seizure in 18 months.

Campaigners at the National Autistic Society said the incident showed a “total ignorance” of the disability and highlighted the “common problem” of bullying of vulnerable people.

Theresa, who lives with her family in Malvern Avenue, in the Infirmary area of Blackburn, said the incident had scared her.

She said: “They were threatening me and trying to take me to a side street away from shoppers. They said they needed money for their baby’s food and nappies.

“I told them no but they would not leave me alone so I gave them the money to make them go away.”

Mum Sharon, a community care worker, said: “She is a vulnerable girl but is trying to live a normal life. Part of that means going out on her own and being more independent.

“Incidents like this show that some people will stoop very low for a bit of money.

“They are the lowest of the low.”

Theresa’s epilepsy had been brought under control in recent months with new medication. As a youngster she often suffered very frequent seizures but had not had one for over a year before the incident last weekend.

The incident happened in King William Street in Blackburn as Theresa walked from the town’s bus interchange to Waves.

Helen Clarkson, from National Autistic Society Lancashire, said: “Autism is a lifelong, disabling condition that affects around one in a hundred people.

“It affects people’s ability to interact socially and make friends and this can make them vulnerable. People with autism are often the victims of bullies, with over 40 per cent of children with the condition being bullied at school.

“It is important that people with autism have the same freedom as everyone else to achieve their full potential in the community.

"It is wrong to play on people’s vulnerabilities. There needs to be a lot more understanding.”

The incident was reported to police who are investigating.

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