Shocking act caught on camera: Woman steals from a dying man at the pokies
- Replies 38
Recently, closed-circuit television (CCTV) captured a woman committing an appalling act, which can only be described as a betrayal of human decency.
The incident occurred at a local pub where an 80-year-old terminally ill man, Thomas Purtill, was enjoying what should have been a small stroke of good fortune.
Mr Purtill, who had been diagnosed with terminal cancer and given a prognosis of just three to six months to live, decided to try his luck at the pokies on November 27.
Fortune smiled at him, and he won $300. When decided to cash in his winnings, fate took a cruel turn when he suffered a medical episode and collapsed to the floor.
And the heartless act that followed was captured in clear detail by the security cameras.
Initially, a woman showed a semblance of concern for Mr Purtill as he lay helpless on the ground. She called over the pub staff, seemingly to assist the ailing man.
However, her true intentions became apparent when she noticed Mr Purtill's winning ticket.
Seizing the opportunity, she cashed in the winnings for herself while others were attending to Mr. Purtill.
The elderly man, who had planned a simple day out to get a haircut before returning home, was left without his winnings and in need of medical attention.
'I remember landing on the floor. I think I fell over before I got the ticket into the machine (to cash it in),' Mr Purtill recalled.
When asked what he thought should happen to the woman, he said: ‘I can't really say on TV. It wouldn't be allowed.’
'If you're that desperate... If someone came up to me and said, “You've had a win, can I have $10 to buy a loaf of bread, a bottle of milk for the kids?”, I would have given it to them,’ he added.
The incident left Mr Purtill hospitalised for two days, after which he returned for ongoing cancer treatment.
The local community and police in Caboolture, Queensland—an hour north of Brisbane—are now urging anyone with information about the woman to come forward.
Mr Purtill's call for justice is echoed by many who have heard of this despicable act, with the hope that the perpetrator will be held accountable.
A person asked on social media: ‘How cruel are some human beings. Whatever happened to honesty?’
‘This is just shameful on the part of the woman who stole his money when he was at his weakest moment,’ another added.
Mr Purtill recounted the incident with 7News Brisbane here:
What are your thoughts on this incident, members? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
The incident occurred at a local pub where an 80-year-old terminally ill man, Thomas Purtill, was enjoying what should have been a small stroke of good fortune.
Mr Purtill, who had been diagnosed with terminal cancer and given a prognosis of just three to six months to live, decided to try his luck at the pokies on November 27.
Fortune smiled at him, and he won $300. When decided to cash in his winnings, fate took a cruel turn when he suffered a medical episode and collapsed to the floor.
A woman was caught on CCTV cashing in Mr Purtill’s winnings. Source: Queensland Police Service
And the heartless act that followed was captured in clear detail by the security cameras.
Initially, a woman showed a semblance of concern for Mr Purtill as he lay helpless on the ground. She called over the pub staff, seemingly to assist the ailing man.
However, her true intentions became apparent when she noticed Mr Purtill's winning ticket.
Seizing the opportunity, she cashed in the winnings for herself while others were attending to Mr. Purtill.
The elderly man, who had planned a simple day out to get a haircut before returning home, was left without his winnings and in need of medical attention.
'I remember landing on the floor. I think I fell over before I got the ticket into the machine (to cash it in),' Mr Purtill recalled.
When asked what he thought should happen to the woman, he said: ‘I can't really say on TV. It wouldn't be allowed.’
'If you're that desperate... If someone came up to me and said, “You've had a win, can I have $10 to buy a loaf of bread, a bottle of milk for the kids?”, I would have given it to them,’ he added.
The incident left Mr Purtill hospitalised for two days, after which he returned for ongoing cancer treatment.
The local community and police in Caboolture, Queensland—an hour north of Brisbane—are now urging anyone with information about the woman to come forward.
Mr Purtill's call for justice is echoed by many who have heard of this despicable act, with the hope that the perpetrator will be held accountable.
A person asked on social media: ‘How cruel are some human beings. Whatever happened to honesty?’
‘This is just shameful on the part of the woman who stole his money when he was at his weakest moment,’ another added.
Mr Purtill recounted the incident with 7News Brisbane here:
What are your thoughts on this incident, members? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
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