by Jenni Horn

jhorn@thekmgroup.co.uk

An elderly couple has thanked the heroes who stopped a man getting away with hundreds of pounds in cash.

Doris Douglas, 82, was making her way home from Gillingham town centre on Saturday morning when her handbag was snatched from the front of her mobility scooter.

Husband John, 78, who was with her at the time of the incident in Lock Street, called out to passers-by for help.

Mr Douglas said: “I tried to run after him and shouted out 'That man’s got my wife’s bag’.

Kevin Parish, 33, who lives nearby, was walking along the road with his young daughter when he realised the man was running in his direction.

“I saw what happened and then he came towards me so I held on to him,” he said. “Another man who had been driving past got out of his car and came to help me.

“I’m not sure what I did was brave. I just did what I could to help out.”

Mr Douglas added that he called the police and two other men came to assist while they were waiting for officers to arrive.

Mrs Douglas, who underwent major heart surgery after a heart attack four years ago, was badly shaken and taken to hospital suffering chest pains but discharged the same day.

She said: “When he snatched the bag I tried to grab it but he already had it. I went very white and I was shaking and crying.”

Mr Douglas said he and his wife, who live in Gillingham, would have lost their money without the support of Mr Parish and his fellow helpers.

“I can’t thank them enough. They were fantastic. Usually we walk along that street and don’t see anybody so it must have been our lucky day.”

Kent Police has praised the actions of the members of the public who got involved.

A spokesman said: “An 82-year-old lady had just drawn money from her bank at around 10am and was on her way home with her husband when a man snatched her bag from her wheelchair and ran off. He was pursued by two members of the public and detained until police arrived.”

A 24-year-old man has been charged with attempted theft.