A mother-of-three intervened to stop a man stealing a bundle of cash from her local shop while she was out shopping with her five-year-old son.

Sherry Johnson pushed the man out of the door and said she hopes he gets the help he needs.

She was at McColl’s, in Park Wood, on Wednesday afternoon last week when Douglas Frankham tried to grab money from the till.

Despite the 32-year-old suffering from severe spinal problems and having son Harry with her, she shoved Frankham away when she saw him making a grab for the money – and was pushed back in the chest for her troubles.

It was then she pushed him out of the shop.

Miss Johnson, of Wrangleden Road, Park Wood, said: “He appeared drunk.

“I didn’t want that to happen in front of my son and I was trying to protect my friend behind the counter.

“I have been in pain since the incident because of my back problems. I also suffer from anxiety and this has brought it back. My son keeps talking about it and doesn’t want to go to the shops now.”

Despite this, she said: “Everyone has their problems in life and sometimes people can’t access the right help and they do things like this. I hope he now gets the help he needs."

“Everyone has their problems in life and sometimes people can’t access the right help and they do things like this. I hope he now gets the help he needs" - Sherry Johnson

Frankham, of Cheshire Road, Maidstone, fled the scene at 4.30pm and was arrested a short time later.

A police spokesman said a helicopter spotted in the area at around the same time was not linked to the incident.

Appearing at Maidstone Magistrates’ Court on Thursday last week, Frankham pleaded guilty to charges of theft, assault and breaching a conditional discharge.

A second charge of stealing a bottle of cider, two Indian meals and a loaf of bread was withdrawn.

Magistrates sentenced him to 120 days in prison, suspended for one year, and ordered him to attend 60 activity sessions aimed at tackling his problems. He must also undergo six months of alcohol treatment.

Frankham will also have to pay an £80 victim surcharge and court costs of £85.

No one from McColl’s was available for comment.