A MAN was punched in the face when he stopped a would-be robber from stealing a woman’s handbag.

The incident happened as the victim was walking with the woman along Tufton Street, Maidstone. As they walked past a group of three to four men near Shipley Court, a man approached and tried to snatch the woman’s handbag.

But the first man grabbed the bag back, stopping the offender, who shouted and punched him in the jaw.

The offender, who struck between 11.50pm and 12.10am last Thursday, ran off in the direction of Shipley Court.

He was white, aged 17 to 20, between 5ft 9in and 5ft 10in, of medium build, and wearing black jogging bottoms, a black hooded top with a cap underneath.

Call police on 01622 608182 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.