Essex woman with baby threatened with broken bottle

A woman pushing her six-month-old baby in a pushchair was robbed in Essex by a man who threatened her with a broken bottle.

The victim, aged 21, was forced to hand over £50 in Laindon Link, Basildon on Saturday afternoon.

In a separate incident, a woman was robbed by a man with a broken bottle in Nethermayne, near Basildon hospital, on Sunday afternoon.

Police said: "To target a mum pushing her child is beyond contempt."

Officers are appealing for information on both the incidents, which happened at 1400 BST and 1630 BST respectively.

Det Con Kerry McCarthy said: "Both women must have been terrified when they had the broken bottles thrust at them and their awful experiences may never leave them.

"(The robber) was unkempt and is very distinctive in his appearance and his clothing so we're hoping that someone can identify him for us."

The man is described as white, in his 30s, about 5ft 8in (1.73m) and of slim build.

He had scruffy hair and a large scar on his cheek and was wearing black and orange trainers.