A MAN who lost £4,500 in a daylight robbery says the thief’s three-year sentence is not long enough.

Peter Bewley, 68, from Bradford on Avon, was robbed after he had withdrawn cash from the bank to renovate his conservatory for his disabled wife, Rosemary, last August.

Anthony Clacher, 36, of Portway Lane, Warminster, pleaded guilty to theft and last week was sentenced to three years' imprisonment at Swindon Crown Court.

Mr Bewley was followed back to his car by Clacher, who opened the car door and snatched the money.

“Three years is not enough time, he will come straight back out and do it again to some other poor person," said Mr Bewley.

“It was a very scary experience, I didn’t think these things would happen in broad daylight.”

Mrs Bewley said: “Three years will change nothing, he will still be the same person when he gets out and, of course, he won’t actually serve three years.

“He had a troubled childhood but he can’t use that as an excuse, so many people suffer abuse and a hard upbringing, myself included, but we don’t go round stealing from others who have worked hard for what they have.

“I am a nervous person anyway, but this has made me so much worse.”

Mr and Mrs Bewley have now completed the work on their conservatory, but are still out of pocket as, despite Clacher’s guilty plea, they have not had their money returned.

Community coordinator PC Charly Chilton said: “This was a really upsetting incident for the victims. The man had collected the money to put towards creating a more comfortable life for his disabled wife. Their plans are now on hold which is really upsetting and frustrating.

“The background to this case makes it seem all the more cruel and heartless.

“Thankfully, as a result of a number of enquiries carried out by officers, we were able to arrest Clacher relatively quickly and put him before the court."