Havering woman, 23, punched in face during violent robbery feared she would be killed
The woman, 23, was punched in the face in the violent attack - Credit: Archant
A 23-year-old woman punched in the face during a violent robbery feared she would never see her family again.
The victim, who wishes to remain anonymous, is struggling to come to terms with the attack on January 30.
She says she felt “cold metal” against her body, which she believes may have been a knife.
The woman, from Havering, said: “I am scared to leave the house. I have taken that route to work for three years and have never been approached.
“I thought I would never see my family again.”
She was approached from behind by two men at 7.45pm in Douglas Road, Goodmayes.
She said one tapped her before demanding she hand over her possessions. She was then struck in the face when she turned around.
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“I don’t know what I was thinking,” she said. “I felt my whole face pop and my nose started bleeding.”
The woman was also punched in the ribs before feeling a “sharp” object. She did not see a knife, but her shirt and coat had rips in them and her side was cut.
The men stole her bag and phone before walking towards a car.
Fearing she would be “dragged” inside, the woman, who did not require hospital treatment, ran to work.
She said: “They didn’t have to use that much force. I am only 5ft 1in and I would have handed everything over.
“I would like to ask why they had to do that.”
She described one robber as aged 19-25 with brown eyes. He was wearing a white scarf and dark clothing to cover his face. The second is 18-25, slim and possibly Asian.
Det Supt Ellie O’Connor said: “That level of violence is worrying and quite unusual, particularly in that neighbourhood.”
Anyone with information should contact police on 101.
