'Scumbag' jailed for death fall handbag theft in Salford

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-manchester-33571760

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A thief described as a "scumbag" by his victim's family has been jailed for stealing the handbag of a grandmother seconds after she fell to her death.

Sean Earle, 26, of Trevelyan Street, Salford, had admitted at an earlier hearing snatching Linda Clarke's bag.

Mrs Clarke, 55, had cut her wrists and walked out of Salford Royal Hospital before sitting on ledge over the M602 on 17 April.

Earle was sentenced to six months by Manchester Magistrates' Court.

He made no attempt to call for help, the court heard.

Jailing him, District Judge Paul Carr said: "You took the opportunity under tragic circumstances to steal for your own gain."

CCTV captured Mrs Clarke after she left the hospital on 17 April.

Earle was seen walking the same way before following and approaching her.

'Low life thief'

She made her way to the bridge nearby over the M602 motorway in Eccles, Salford.

A witness driving past saw Mrs Clarke sitting on the edge of a wall overlooking the motorway with her legs dangling over and Earle talking to her.

The motorist drove away but "almost immediately" turned back to check on the welfare of Mrs Clarke.

As he approached, Earle was running off and Mrs Clarke had fallen.

It was then discovered her handbag was missing and a local policeman identified Earle from the CCTV footage, his home was searched and the bag found.

The prosecution accepted Earle played no part in Mrs Clarke' death.

Lorna Wincote, mitigating, said Earle panicked after Mrs Clarke went over the wall and the defendant himself had mental health issues.

Outside court, Mrs Clarke's widower, Gary Clarke, 58, said Earle was "a low life thief"

"He's not had a decent upbringing, but that's no excuse not to help somebody," he added. "He's a scumbag."