A DISABLED woman says she is too frightened to leave her flat after she was robbed while out shopping.

Cat Ross, 41, was riding her mobility scooter towards Sainsbury’s at Kingsmead at Canterbury when the purse she was wearing on a chain round her neck was snatched.

It contained £85 in weekly benefits she had just picked up from Northgate Post Office.

She said: "I couldn’t work out what was happening at first as it all happened so quickly, but it frightened the life out of me. I’ve not been the same since and I will not go out on my own."

Miss Ross, who lives alone in Union Street, Canterbury, has been in a wheelchair for three years after head injuries suffered in an assault which left her with restricted movement in her legs.

She relies on her mobility scooter and the support of others to help pick up supplies and her income support and incapacity benefits. But at the time of the robbery her usual helper was in hospital.

"I can’t wheel myself into the post office, so that day someone came out to the pavement to hand me my money in an envelope," she said. "I think I was being watched and then followed, and I’m sure it was two men.

"I feel terribly vulnerable on that scooter because I’m such an easy target."

As a teenager, Miss Ross was a keen sprinter and represented her county, Surrey, in athletics competitions. Until a few years ago she worked in finance for the Government in London.

She has been unable to work since she was attacked in 2001, which prompted the move to Canterbury. She is still waiting on a compensation claim for her injuries.

One of the offenders is described as white with dreadlocks, aged between 20 and 25. There is no information on an alleged accomplice.

The robbery happend at midday on Thursday, March 10. Anyone who can help with the investigation is asked to contact Stuart Brown of Canterbury Police’s crime management unit on 01227 762055.