Prostitute And Boyfriend Deny Robbing 90 Year-Old Pensioner

A prostitute and her boyfriend, who violently mugged a 90 year-old pensioner with dementia, claim the OAP was seeking early-morning sex, a court heard today.

Sophie McDonnell, 34 and Delaney Foster, 35, deny battering Montserrat-born John Buffong to the back of the head and snatching his wallet containing £350 cash and his bank and Post Office cards.

The pair were caught on CCTV at the block in Jerome Crescent, Marylebone on November 22, last year and their images released to the public during the police hunt.

Months later, when asked about the sex claim Mr. Buffong told police: “I was not looking for sex, I’m ninety-one now. I’ve never had sex with this woman, everything she says is a lie. I don’t owe her any money.”

The Southwark Crown Court jury was told McDonnell, of Hillersden House, Ebury Bridge Road, Pimlico has “many convictions for dishonesty.”

Prosecutor Mr. Philip Levy said she was arrested in April this year after approaching a male passer-by and offering sex. “While They were talking she grabbed his wallet from his coat pocket and ran off.

"This is someone who uses her prostitution for theft.”

Foster, of Charlwood Street, Pimlico “has many convictions for dishonesty” the jury were told, plus robbery and assault.

Mr. Buffong routinely left his fourth-floor flat to buy the daily newspapers at around 7.00am everyday.

He told police: “Two people suddenly approached from behind me and started hitting me around the back of my head with their hands.

“They pushed me to the ground outside the lift and the female took my wallet.”

Caught On CCTV: McDonnell & Foster

He heard her shout: “Let’s go,” to her hooded male black accomplice and the pair fled.

Mr. Levy told the jury: “The issue in this case is wether there was robbery or not. It’s slightly unusual in that the complainant, who was robbed, is not in a fit state to give evidence.

“He says he was robbed and was robbed by these two.

‘Mr. Buffong was suffering from dementia, not very severe dementia. He was able to look after himself, but had some problems with memory.”

Neighbour Robert Abdul, who Mr. Buffong was due to have his regular breakfast with that morning and his sister-in-law keep an eye on him.

The defendants were caught on  CCTV entering the block’s lift at 7.09 am and leaving at 7.15am.

“The question is what were they up to?” asked Mr. Levy. “They say she is a sex worker, and she is a sex worker, don’t hold that against her.

“She went up to offer her services and there was some sort of altercation and Mr. Buffong became upset and there was no robbery.”

McDonnell was questioned by police last April. “She claimed he was a punter and she was offering sexual services.

“However, Mr. Buffong is adamant: ‘I don’t need a sex worker at my age,’ he said.

“They probably saw this man going everyday for his newspaper and he was an obvious target.

“That it was something to do with sex at seven am in the morning, you may think is unrealistic.”

Trial continues………….