A PENSIONER was left traumatised after she was robbed inside a Malvern phone repair shop.

Valerie Glazzard, 74, says she had just placed £110 on the counter inside Mobile + Care to pay for a second hand phone when she was shoved aside and the money was snatched by a thief who rushed inside the store.

Mrs Glazzard said: “I was visiting the phone shop on Tuesday because I wanted to get my iPod looked at. It is a very old model but the kind shop owner tried for at least 45 minutes to repair it for me.

“Eventually we realised it wasn’t fixable so he told me I could buy a refurbished iPhone instead – he was ever so helpful. I agreed to buy it so went outside to the cashpoint.

“I withdrew £110 for the phone and went back to the shop to pay for it. The shopkeeper, Mr Khan, handed over the phone and I placed the money on the counter in front of me.

“Before I knew what was happening, a young man came up behind me and violently shoved me out the way, before snatching the money and making a run for it.

“I was really very shaken up, it was a horrid experience."

Mr Khan, who describes himself as a ‘proud Asian guy’, gave chase but lost the thief in Priory Park gardens. When Mr Khan returned the first thing he did was check on Mrs Glazzard's welfare.

She said: “During the theft I was truly terrified and without the help of Mr Khan I thought I might have collapsed.

“After making sure I was okay, he then said, much to my surprise, that the phone was mine and he would take the loss. I was speechless. It was such a kind and thoughtful gesture. I just couldn’t get over how lovely he was to me.

"Many people would have taken the phone back and told me where to go but Mr Khan told me that it was rightfully mine."

She added: “With racism at the forefront of the news it was an example where an Asian man triumphed in spirit.

“I truly believe colour prejudice should be scorned and I wholeheartedly thank Mr Khan for his swift action and also for not charging me for my phone.”

If you have any information about this incident, you can contact the police on 101 or report something anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers by calling 0800 555 111 or by visiting their website www.crimestoppers-uk.org.