WITH his attacker convicted, George Reynolds said that London would now be a safer place.

Not proud of his own criminal past, George is nevertheless convinced that, in his day, on the wrong side of the law there was a code among lawbreakers.

"The old fashioned crook didn't go in for mugging and robbing 80-year-old ladies."

Speaking to The Northern Echo after the trial, George's wife, Susan, said they were relieved no one was hurt during the attack.

She said: "As George lay in the road with those thugs attacking him, I honestly thought he had been stabbed. It was a terrible experience, and I'm just pleased it's all behind us now.''