The victim of an allegedly unprovoked and vicious assault in an alleyway has spoken out about her horrific ordeal as police appeal for help to find her attacker.

The 48-year-old woman, who has agreed for her photographs to be used but requested to keep her name anonymous, said she was walking along Field Gate Lane, off Western Road in Mitcham, when she was assaulted by another woman, who beat her to the ground in front of a young child.

Wimbledon Times:

The victim, who struggles with her mobility and last year suffered a heart attack and lost both her parents, was pushing a trolley after shopping at the nearby Asda when she moved aside in the alleyway to let two women and a young girl on a scooter go past her.

She said one of the women shouted at her to move over further, and then attacked her when she was not able to.

She was thrown across the alleyway and kicked and punched as she lay on the floor, despite the efforts of the woman’s companion to pull her attacker off her. This all took place in front of the child that the two women were with. 

The victim said the attack left her with swelling on the brain, as well as a broken nose, damaged eye socket, a large lump on her head and bruising all over her legs and face.

Wimbledon Times:

She said: “There was nothing I could do. I didn’t have the strength. All I could do is let her carry on. I felt my nose pop.

“Afterwards I was in shock. I just got up and just tried my best to get home. When I was outside [the alleyway] I just shouted for my son. I was scared I was going to pass out or have another heart attack.

“I'm scared to leave the house, I am already trying to move. I don’t feel safe.

“I see it happening every time I close my eyes. I just can’t come to terms with what happened or why it happened.”

Wimbledon Times:

Her niece added: “We are all in distress. We are scared for my aunty’s mental health, with the impact it’s had on her and how upset she is. She’s suffered so much in the past year.

“This is just all too much for her. She doesn’t deserve this and we are disgusted and outraged and want justice for her.

“We feel she needs justice to help her in moving forward.”

A spokesman for Merton police said: “We can confirm that the lady was involved in an altercation where she has received injuries.

“Merton police takes matters of this nature very seriously and we are investigating all angles and gathering evidence currently.

“Police officers would like to speak to all witnesses, and particularly the other female mentioned.

“If you have any information that can assist officers, please contact us on 101.”