Pensioner Ernie Hanes’ thug attacker left him $100 of $400 stolen

A COWARDLY thug who bashed a 76-year-old man, leaving him with horrific facial injuries, apparently had a crisis of conscience and left behind $100.

Police are appealing for public assistance after an elderly man was injured during a robbery in Sydney’s south-west. About 5.45am today (Sunday 21 February 2016), a 76-year-old man was walking on the footpath of Chester Hill Road, Bass Hill, when he was accosted by a man who pushed him into a fence. The man then punched him in the face, causing him to fall to the ground. He was then punched in the face numerous times again. The offender removed the man’s wallet and took out some cash out before leaving the scene. Photo courtesy of NSW Police

A COWARDLY thug who bashed and robbed a 76-year-old man, leaving him with horrific facial injuries, apparently had a crisis of conscience and left behind $100 of the $400 he had stolen.

Ernie Hanes, of Bass Hill, was on his way to pick up the newspapers for himself and a neighbour at about 5.45am yesterday when he was attacked from behind and punched repeatedly in the face after he fell to the ground on Chester Hill Rd.

His attacker then stole $400 and some scratchie tickets from the pensioner’s wallet. But he then left $100 behind.

Mr Hanes, who is partially blind and deaf, managed to walk to the nearby Bass Hill Plaza, where a security­ guard called paramedics. He was taken to hospital with deep wounds around his eyes and possibly skull factures.

His sister Shirley King said she could not understand why the man attacked her brother so viciously.

“A lot of people would like to lay their hands on this fella, he would be very sorry,” Ms King said.

“My brother’s half-deaf, half-blind. He is a harmless little bloke.”

Pensioner Ernie Hanes, 76.