A PENSIONER mugged in the street was left distressed after her pleas for help were ignored by a man walking his dog.

The 75-year-old and her daughter could not understand why the man did nothing but watch yesterday's incident unfold.

Cleveland Police also expressed disappointment that the man ignored the daughter's urgent appeal to call 999 and help them. But police now hope he will redeem himself by coming forward with vital information.

The two women, who do not want to be identified, were walking along Oliver Street, Linthorpe, Middlesbrough, after the mother had collected her pension.

As they started to walk past a parked BMW car, a man got out.

A police spokeswoman said: "He approached them from behind and dragged her handbag from her shoulder.

"The woman's daughter was able to keep her mother upright as she struggled. And the daughter even appealed to a well-built man, standing nearby with a large dog, to help or at least call police. Unfortunately, he simply stood by, watching."

Police also released details yesterday of a mugging by two men on a 69-year-old man, in Edgeworth Court, Hemlington.

The man, who walks with a stick, managed to fight off the pair, who fled empty-handed. One was described as thin, ginger-haired and about 5ft 7in, the other was slightly shorter, blond and of medium build.

Anyone with information is asked to call police on (01642) 303126 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.