A BLIND man was mugged in broad daylight for his mobile phone as he used his white stick to feel his way to Bournemouth's town's library.

Former banker Denis Watkins was punched in the stomach while he walked alone along St Stephen's Road. His hard-hearted attacker - who may have had accomplices - fled after snatching the 53-year-old's mobile phone.

Mr Watkins, who has just three per cent vision in his left eye and no sight in his right eye, has been registered blind for two years.

He said: "I'm sick to death of being attacked on the streets of Bournemouth. This is just the latest incident in the catalogue of abuse I've suffered.

"I'm sad to say that I've been burgled and attacked countless times because of my disability. In the past six months I've had to go to hospital three times to have my injuries treated.

"There are 2.1 million people registered blind or partially sighted people in the UK and I've finally decided to speak out for their sake.

"Living in constant darkness or shades of grey is bad enough, without having to be encounter abuse on the streets.

"I've discovered, from bitter experience, that if anyone asks me for a cigarette it is better to hand them one from the packet - otherwise they will take the lot."

PC Vernon Roberts, who is investigating the latest assault, said Mr Watkins had been approached from behind on May 16 as he was using his phone.

"Because his sight is so limited and the images he sees so blurred he couldn't give us a description of the offender," he said.

"Fortunately he wasn't badly hurt but he was stunned by what happened and it took him some hours to contact us."

PC Roberts added: "This was a particularly despicable crime because it was obvious, from his white stick, that he was either blind or partially sighted. It is vital members of the public help us catch the culprit.

"There may have been more than one person involved. We have carried out house-to-house enquiries but, because we have so little to go on, they have all drawn a blank.

"We believe it could be linked to an earlier incident when a man with a cockney accent asked the victim for a cigarette. It's possible the same man may have been responsible for stealing the phone."

Anyone with information about the attack, which happened at about 1.45pm on Monday May 16, should phone the anonymous Crimestoppers line on 0800 555111.

First published: May 18