Veteran presenter and news reader Jan Leeming has been the victim of a terrifying mugging - for the second time in her life. Jan, 80, who appeared in 'I'm A Celeb' was 'rugby tackled' to the ground by a masked man in ''sleepy little village'' in France.
She says it was a ''well organised and orchestrated attack'' with a getaway car. Jan was using an ATM when a man offered to shake her hand and she was thrown to the floor - and luckily he escaped with nothing.
The former BBC star says it brought back memoires of when she was attacked in 1987 by a teen who stole her handbag. @Jan_Leeming posted today: ''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*******. 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 added on Twitter: ''He indicated that she should use the machine before him and might have snatched her cash. 'Then he asked me if I spoke French and extended his hand. I thought it was a friendly gesture. That’s when he tackled me to the ground
''Even if he were caught I doubt very much he’d get a prison sentence - a rap on the knuckles and told not to do it again. In many respects the Law has gone soft. 'What could one carry? Pepper spray. We cant make allowances for every exigency however bad or we would batten down the hatches and never do anything. One has to live
''There was CCTV at the ATM but he wore a mask and the getaway car took an almost immediate left round a corner so friends didn’t get the number plate - probably forged anyway. Gendarmerie was closed and when friends phoned number it went to answer. zilch chance of catching them.
'''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.
''We were safe when I was young. Now I’m very wary of going out in the evening and if I have to do so will park where there is light and also people. In my opinion the world is growing much more nasty very rapidly. So glad I’m the age I am.
''Lovely passer by had first aid kit in car. It was heavily sprayed with antiseptic- did that make me scream - and then went to pharmacy - should be fine. No point in resting and cogitating. Best thing was preparing meal for my friend’s friends and having lovely evening.
''So do I hope he gets his Karma but rather doubt it. 'Im quite tough in many respects. Mugging in 1987 - forgot about it within a few weeks.
''However it will make me much more wary. I’m far too trusting. Thank you for your concern. Hell will freeze before Gendarmes could catch him. Like UK they have too much to do and reams of paperwork.
''I wasn’t killed and thank God he got nothing. It was a well organised and orchestrated attack with mate driving getaway car. Never again accept handshake from a stranger. Am fine so long as the wound doesn’t go septic. Might have a scar but at my age - who cares
''Should have followed my instincts. Thought he was a bit suspicious but I like to give the benefit of the doubt. Never again."
In a statement issued through a talent agency, she said: '‘Thank you for your concern. I’m not traumatised, just a bit bruised and badly grazed. 'There has been an outpouring of warmth and affection from followers on Twitter for which I’m extremely grateful.
''This event will teach me to be even more wary and suspicious in future.’'
Jan Leeming worked as an actress and presenter in Australia and New Zealand before becoming a well-known face on British television in regional and children's programmes. She began a long stint presenting the Monday–Friday BBC1 afternoon show Pebble Mill at One between 1976 and 1979, during which time she also often co-presented Radio 4's Woman's Hour.
Beginning in April 1980, she became one of Britain's best-known newsreaders across the BBC and also hosted the 1982 Eurovision Song Contest, leaving the newsroom in 1987.
In November 2006, Jan Leeming was a contestant on the sixth series of I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here! on ITV.
