HAUNTED by memories of the vicious thieves who snatched her bag, a disabled woman today spoke of the fear that now dominates her every waking moment and reaches in to her dreams.

HAUNTED by memories of the vicious thieves who snatched her bag, a disabled woman today spoke of the fear that now dominates her every waking moment and reaches in to her dreams.

The 56-year-old woman, who does not wish to be named, had her bag snatched from her shoulder in the car park of the Hadleigh Road Sainsbury's store on December 23.

She lost a large quantity of cash to the thieves but it is the mental scars that linger on.

The woman said: "It's been five weeks since I was mugged and every minute of every day it's on my mind, even in my dreams.

"I'm nervous when I go out in case it happens again, I look at all young people as potential thieves – which I know is not true.

"I'm nervous when someone gets too close behind me. I'm scared when I get my money or go shopping."

The woman, who suffers from degenerative discs in her spine and sciatica in her leg, lost important documents including her driving licence and prescription payment book.

Her bag also contained irreplaceable letters and photos of friends and loved ones.

She said: "I had no rubbish in my bag just all that I treasured and used and needed. It can never be replaced.

"I get an ache deep in my stomach whenever I go to my bag and those things are not there."

The woman has now issued a plea to other potential thieves to think about the consequences of their actions and the debilitating effects they can have on their victims.

She said: "Do you realise how much pain you cause? The effect is ongoing for the victim. Please think again before you steal someone's personal things. It is too cruel.

"The people who did it to me have probably done it again since and forgotten about what they did to me. I wish I could forget, but it's with me every minute of every day."