Jan Leeming
(Picture: PA)Former BBC presenter Jan Leeming has been left with a “six inch gash” on her arm after an attempted mugging in France.
The TV star, 80, said she was “rugby tackled” to the ground by a masked man during an “orchestrated attack” in a “sleepy little village”.
She said she was using an ATM when a man offered to shake her hand before throwing her to the floor.
Horrid experience. Attacked close to ATM friends were using. Youngish man seemed pleasant held out hand - like a first rate idiot being courteous I took it. Rugby tackled to ground. Bag was over my arm- he didn’t get it. Got six inch gash on arm back of hand black and blue😡
— Jan Leeming (@Jan_Leeming) July 23, 2022
She wrote on Twitter: “Horrid experience. Attacked close to ATM friends were using. Youngish man seemed pleasant held out hand - like a first rate idiot being courteous I took it.
“Rugby tackled to ground. Bag was over my arm- he didn’t get it. Got six inch gash on arm back of hand black and blue.
“Was amazed at how clever are these b*****s. Thought it strange he wore a mask but assumed he was a vulnerable person. Only grateful he got nothing BUT he also got away with the attack
“It was horrid but well orchestrated with a getaway car. My head was very close to oncoming car. Think there was CCTV but he wore a mask- car took a left so friends couldn’t get number plate.
“Gendarmerie was closed. Rang number-only took message. As in UK wouldn’t be followed up.”
She later thanked fans for their well-wishes and said she is doing fine.
She wrote: “Hallo lovely people. Please don’t worry. I’m absolutely fine - not traumatised one little bit. Just sore with a few bruises and a massive dressing on my arm. Thank you all so much for your warmth and good wishes”.
