A BLIND man who asked for help was led down an alleyway, beaten and robbed. Wrexham Police described the incident as a 'despicable and cowardly crime'.

David Stone, 53, who has travelled alone all over Europe without incident, asked a man to direct him to Wrexham bus station.

The man, aged 30-35, said he would guide him there and took his arm. Mr Stone, who has been blind all his life, said: 'The next thing, I felt the rat's hand slip towards my pocket. I moved the hand away.

'As we walked, my feet went from under me and I fell and he kicked me in the face. I held onto him and he started to kick like I don't know what.

'I was trying to defend myself and called out for help. He took my wallet and a metal belt.'

Although Mr Stone got his store cards back, police believe about £30 was taken from his wallet.

'In the past I have travelled to Scotland, Northern Ireland, the Irish republic, France, Belgium, Holland, Switzerland and through Italy, Yugoslavia, Greece, even made my own way in Albania and nothing has ever occurred like this.

'Some women came to my aid and the rat scurried off. I'm a bit more wary now because later on some little so-and-so at the bus station also asked me for money.'

DC Andy Jessop of Wrexham CID said: 'This is a despicable, cowardly crime and this person needs to be caught. He has obviously thought out what he was going to do and picked on a disabled man and assaulted him and kicked him on the floor.'

Mr Stone, who lives in Wrexham, stopped the man in King Street and asked him for help to get to the bus station.

He was led into Regent Street and then into an alleyway near the La Baguette sandwich shop and attacked. The incident happened on April 12 at 1.20pm. Because two women came forward with descriptions, police did not make a public appeal at the time.

But since no arrest has been made, police have now issued a CCTV picture of Mr Stone being led by the man who attacked him.

DC Jessop believes the offender is probably local. He is white, about 6ft tall, of thin build and wore a blue top with a thin white stripe across the shoulders and blue jeans. He has light brown receding hair. nPeople with information about this crime should call 0845 6071002 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.