Another woman attacked in the street

Police described the early morning attack on 61-year-old Margaret Crouch and her disabled husband, Norman, 59, as "despicable."

Nursing her plastered foot at her home in Mount Idol View, Mrs Crouch asked: "What s happening to this town?"

She was aware she had become the third Bexhillian called Margaret to be attacked in the street in three weeks.

Margaret and Norman were the second victims of a mugger who struck at friends meeting for a pre-Christmas coach trip to France on December 8.

PC Roy Warren said the first couple were approached by a man as they used the Ninfield Road , Sidley, cash machine at 5.16am.

The man demanded money but made off in a waiting blue E-registered Vauxhall Nova when a friend intervened, telling them: "Don t bother to take the car number, it s nicked."

Because of this, said PC Warren, the victims had not contacted police. Margaret and Norman Crouch were attacked shortly afterwards.

Margaret, a Sainsbury s check-out assistant, said: "We were walking down Turkey Road to get the coach. We had just got to the low wall by the former vicarage when this bloke came up behind us and said 'I ve got a gun. Give me your money!

"My husband said we didn t have any cash. We were just going to the cash-point.

"The next thing I knew this man had hit me on the side of the face with the butt of his gun.

"He yanked my handbag off my arm. I had about 200 in it to get some wine in France plus my credit cards and passport.

"I went down, bashing my side on the brick wall - I have a bruise all down my side - and breaking my ankle.

"He came up from behind in the dark and took us by surprise. When he said he wanted our money I think I just said 'No way!

"I think I lost consciousness. The next thing I knew the police were there.