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Glamour model tells of Belfast mugging terror

Jordan wannabe relives horror of city centre bag-snatch attack

By Stephen Breen
Monday, 8 September 2008

Laura Lacole

Laura Lacole

A young glamour model has spoken of her mugging terror in Belfast city centre.

Laura Lacole –— who dreams of becoming the next ‘Jordan’ — suffered a hand wound after her handbag was stolen by three men in the early hours of last Sunday.

The 18-year-old — who models at car racing shows across Europe and has worked with top London photographer Jens Wikholm — was left traumatised after the robbery.

She says doesn’t think she’ll ever be able to walk through Belfast city centre again at night.

The stunning blonde, along with a girl pal and two male friends, was walking towards up Royal Avenue towards the City Hall when she noticed three older men, with foreign accents, walking towards them.

But as the men passed the friends, they snatched Laura’s pal’s handbag.

As one of the model’s male friends attempted to retrieve the bag, he was knocked unconscious after being punched in the head by one of the muggers.

The thugs then punched the other male friend to the ground before snatching Laura’s handbag, which contained a small amount of cash, and running off.

The beauty’s friend lost her passport, mobile phone and purse.

Cops are now trawling through CCTV footage in a bid to identify the attackers.

The teenager last night told how her ordeal had left her “terrified”.

Said Laura: “The whole experience was awful and I was just afraid that they were going to pull out a knife or something.

“When these men were walking towards us they were laughing and we had no idea what was about to happen. It’s still giving me nightmares.

“When my two male friends were knocked to the ground it was just me and my friend standing there and we couldn’t have done anything against three strong men.

“We were left crying and in a terrible state but we know it could have been a lot worse if these men had attacked my friend and I.

“My male friends are upset that they couldn’t do more to help us but this is not their fault. It is the fault of three grown men who decided to prey on four innocent young people.”

The east Belfast woman has urged young people to be “vigilant” when walking through the city centre at night.

She added: “I have only been home a few months and I never, ever thought that something like this would happen to me in Belfast.

“I don’t think I’ll be able to walk through the city centre again after what happened.

“I just hope the police catch these people because I wouldn’t want anyone else to experience what we went through.

“These people didn’t care about us and so long as there still out there they will have no hesitation to use violence against people.”

Laura, who has MTV’s Dirty Sanchez and DJ Alex Kidd as pals, is hoping to put the terrifying incident behind her by securing modelling contracts in England, with lads mags Nuts and FHM.

Although Page Three bosses have expressed an interest in securing her services, she told how she was “not interested” at the minute.

Laura, who has an interest in science, gave up her studies to embark on a glamour modelling career.

She said: “I think it's so funny that some people still think glamour modelling classes women as objects. These days, you can do what you want.

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I too know Laura and im glad she is alright.

Its disgusting that people arent safe to walk home at night

Posted by ulsterscooby | 12.09.08, 17:21 GMT

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I think Belfast is getting more dangerous now than when the troubles were on, at least if you stayed in your own area you felt reasonable safe.Now your safe nowhere

Posted by Billy | 12.09.08, 06:22 GMT

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Well I actually know Laura and all I can say is that it is awful what happened to you!!! I never would have thought that Belfast at night would have been unsafe but it just goes to show that our wee country is now becoming unsafe but I suppose that opens up another debate!

Posted by Stephanie, Belfast | 10.09.08, 16:22 GMT

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If Laura was interested in photography instead of science , I would take her into my darkroom to see if I could develop something.

Posted by SAIGEADOIR COLLAC ABU | 08.09.08, 23:01 GMT

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awk she has lovely hair!

Posted by pj mccleery hcl | 08.09.08, 17:54 GMT

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It sounds like a terrible experience but I was distracted from reading this article by the photo. Wowsers.

Posted by Dirk Diggler | 08.09.08, 16:15 GMT

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