In April 2014, 77-year-old Winifred Peel from Bromborough, Wirral, bravely disrupted a robbery at a NatWest ATM. While withdrawing money,
she was attacked by three young men, one of whom tried to take £200 from the machine. Reacting quickly, Mrs. Peel grabbed
one attacker by the collar and struck him with the ATM, forcing them to flee. Her courage, combined with CCTV footage,
led to the arrest of Felix Stoica, Florin Geblescu, and Piper Dumitru, aged 18–19.
The men had been driving around targeting vulnerable victims, confirmed by GPS and surveillance data.
All three were sentenced to prison, with courts noting the seriousness of targeting an elderly woman.
Mrs. Peel, active in sports and raised with brothers, said the incident shook her, but her bravery
was widely praised. Her actions not only protected herself but also helped prevent future crimes.
The case highlights the importance of ATM safety, especially for seniors. UK Finance and police
recommend using well-lit machines, staying alert, and reporting suspicious behavior.
Mrs. Peel’s story became a national symbol of resilience and courage, encouraging self-defense
awareness and greater support for elderly citizens in public spaces.
