A PETROL station worker has been praised for her selfless actions after rushing to the aid of a disabled customer who was the target of an unprovoked attack on the forecourt.

Police were called to the Snax 24 garage, in Darlington, at about 6am, on Sunday, May 12.

A man in a wheelchair was buying wine and cigarettes from the night service counter at the petrol station store, in Northgate, when another man approached and struck up a conversation.

Detective Constable Tony Kent, of Darlington police, said: “They appeared to be getting on fine until the second male asked the injured party for a cigarette and was refused.

“At this point, he started to become aggressive and struck the man about the head, kicking him and stealing his purchases.

“He turned on the staff member, who had come out of the shop to try and help, threatening her and hitting her across the head before making off.

“This is a totally unprovoked violent incident involving a vulnerable male.”

Det Con Kent is appealing for potential witnesses to come forward and has released a CCTV image of the suspect, who is described as a male, in his mid 20s, of average build, with short black hair.

He was wearing a black hooded top and dark striped shorts, as well as a baseball cap.

The wheelchair user is believed to be a 54-year-old man from the Middlesbrough area, who had recently been discharged from Darlington Memorial Hospital.

Both victims were left shaken up by the ordeal, but were unhurt.

Det Con Kent praised the quick-thinking shop assistant, who did not wish to be named.

He said: “In her own words, she said she could not stand by and watch a vulnerable person being assaulted.

“It is not in her nature to stand by and watch, she had to try and stop the attack.”

Officers hope to be able to enhance CCTV footage showing the suspect.

No one from Rontec, the company that operates the garage, in Northgate, was available for comment.

Anyone with information about the assaults is asked to call Det Con Kent, on the non-emergency telephone number 101, quoting the crime numbers DJ1302859 and DJ1302929.