Robber attacks blind woman

A BLIND woman was kicked and punched by a robber who stole her handbag.

Nancy Needham had got off a bus near her home in Wood View, Edwalton, when she was grabbed and swung round.

"He hit me on the head, kicked and punched me and then grabbed my handbag," said the 55-year-old.

"I was shouting 'help me, help me' but no one came. I had my white stick so he probably knew I was blind.

"I heard him running off and then one of my neighbours came and saw the state I was in. She called an ambulance, wrapped me in a blanket and waited with me for it to arrive. She was really kind."

Mrs Needham, who has been registered blind for eight years, said she had £700, keys and a phone in her handbag when the attacker struck on Wednesday night.

She had drawn out the money to go on holiday with friends the day after.

"As I'm blind, going to the bank and withdrawing money can take some time and I didn't want to delay going on holiday so I took out a big lump sum beforehand," said Mrs Needham.

"I'd been out with friends in the city centre and got off the bus just before 11pm. The police officer who took me home from hospital said that whoever mugged me may have been watching me get off the bus.

"I don't want to live in Edwalton any more. I'm too frightened to stay at home. I've got a 15-year-old son and I'm living in fear for both of us."

A police spokeswoman said: "Fortunately these kinds of incidents are very rare in Edwalton and we would appeal for witnesses to contact us."

Anyone with information should call 0115 967 0999 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

guy.woodford@nottinghameveningpost.co.uk