by Danny Boyle

A woman battered with a car jack by a teenage girl outside a Dartford shop has spoken of her ordeal for the first time.

Mother-of-two Helen Miller was left for dead by the bag thief aged about 15 - all for just 4p.

The brave 43-year-old was pummelled around the head and face outside the Co-operative in Darenth. It was only after eight swipes of the heavy metal weapon that she let go of her bag - which contained only pennies, bank cards she cancelled immediately, an old mobile phone and a pair of glasses.

Her 5ft 2in attacker delivered a final blow to her head as she lay helpless and covered in blood on the pavement before escaping in a car.

Mrs Miller was left with concussion, a badly gashed and scarred head, two broken teeth and little strength in her right hand from where she held onto her bag.

Now a month after the attack as police continue to hunt her attacker and the getaway car used, Mrs Miller said: "It has shaken me up pretty badly and the fact it was all for nothing makes it so much worse.

"The cuts and bruises are healing, but I'm still having trouble sleeping and the attack plays back in my mind. I just keep thinking that I'm lucky to be alive."

The attacker, who is white, wore a pink tracksuit and woollen hat with plaits, jumped into a small red car with a white stripe running from the boot to bonnet, although police say the vehicle's appearance could have been changed.

Anyone with information about the attack on Monday, December 7, between 8.15pm and 8.30pm, is asked to phone North Kent Police on 01474 366 091 or Kent Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.