Suspect charged after women targeted in own homes by intruder

A suspect has been charged with robbery after two women were targeted in their own homes by an intruder.

One of the victims, aged in her seventies, had her handbag stolen from an address in Champion Crescent, Mansfield, on Saturday (16 September) evening after answering a knock at her door.

Another woman living nearby, also aged in her 70s, was also targeted on the same evening by an intruder who gained access to her home.

Police carried out extensive local investigations and arrested a suspect the following day.

William Neil, aged 50, has now been charged with robbery and attempted robbery.

He has also been charged with three counts of theft after various items were stolen from local shops on Wednesday and Sunday.

Neil, of Sherwood Street, Mansfield Woodhouse, was remanded in custody and is due to appear at Nottingham Magistrates’ Court today.

Detective Chief Inspector Nicholas Hall, of Nottinghamshire Police, said: “Crimes of this nature are hugely upsetting for victims so I am pleased we have been able to identify and charge a suspect so quickly in this case.”