Moment thief steals terminally ill man’s fruity winnings after he collapses

11 January 2024 , 22:54

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Thomas Purtill, 80, collapsed after winning £160 on a fruit machine before a thief took his ticket (Image: YouTube/@ 7NEWS Australia)

The moment a woman stole money from a terminally ill pensioner after he collapsed at a fruit machine was caught on camera.

Thomas Purtill went to his local pub in Caboolture near Brisbane, Australia, and won about $300 (£160) before having a medical episode and dropping to the floor. The thief initially appeared concerned for the 80-year-old and called over staff, but later pocketed his ticket.

While Mr Purtill - who has up to six months to live - was being treated, she then went over to another machine to collect his winnings. Police have released the footage in a bid to identify the woman. Mr Purtill spent two days in hospital after the incident on November 27 last year. He has urged anyone who recognises the brazen thief to “give her up”.

Mr Purtill learned after his fall that he has terminal cancer (YouTube/@ 7NEWS Australia)

Speaking to 7NEWS, he said he'd “decided to go up and throw a few dollars in the pokies”. Referring to his medical episode, he said: “I remember landing on the floor. I think I fell over before I got the ticket into the machine (to cash it in)."

Asked what he thought of the thief's actions, Mr Purtill 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."

Baby boy has spent his life in hospital as doctors are 'scared' to discharge him

Pub staff members have since offered to reimburse Mr Purtill's winnings. The kind gesture, as well as the treatment he received, have helped restore his faith in humanity. Unfortunately, tests showed the reason for his collapse was terminal cancer. "I don't want to die," he said. "But I'm going to."

Ryan Merrifield