A driver refused to help a young man as two robbers beat and mugged him - because her mobile phone had no credit on it.

The 23-year-old called out to the woman motorist as the teens kicked and punched him on the Southernhay side of Basildon Station at 3.20pm yesterday.

Det Con Colin Norton of Basildon CID said: "He asked a lady in a car to call the police as she was getting into a Nova or Corsa.

"She said she didn't have any credit on her phone, but maybe she just didn't want to get involved in any trouble."

The police have pointed out that people can dial 999 for the emergency services even if they do not have credit on their mobiles.

Two youths approached the young man and asked him to sell them cannabis.

When he explained he was not from the area, they laid into him and made off with £75 cash and a debit card from his wallet.

Taken to Basildon Hospital, the unemployed man is described as dazed but not seriously injured.

One robber was a slim 18-year-old. He was 5ft 8ins tall with fine sandy brown hair, a large gold ring and a gold loop earring. He was wearing dark-coloured tracksuit bottoms and a long-sleeved sweatshirt.

The other was aged between 17 and 18, 5ft 10ins tall with dark, short hair. He was wearing a purple baseball cap. Police are appealing for witnesses to the assault and robbery, including the woman driver, to contact Det Con Norton on 01268 244009.

Published Thursday, May 22, 2003

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