Female student punched in the face by handbag robber

A Dundee student was punched in the face by a robber who stole her handbag as she made her way home from a friend’s house in the city centre early on Tuesday.

The attack left Danielle Gibson (19) shaken and with bruising on the side of her face.

Recalling the frightening ordeal which comes just days after Dundee was named one of the safest cities for students in the UK she said the man appeared from behind a set of bins in Couttie’s Wynd, near Whitehall Crescent.

“He made a noise to attract my attention and the next thing I know he was right beside me,” said the psychology student. “He punched me in the face and grabbed my bag but I didn’t let go. He pulled again, got it and then ran away.

“I got back in my car, locked the door and phoned my boyfriend to come and get me.”

The robber is described as being in his early 30s, around 5ft 10in, and had several days of dark facial hair growth.

He was wearing a black hooded top and dark jeans when spotted close by shortly after the incident.

Detective Inspector Bobby Dow appealed for anyone who was in the general area about 1.40am on Tuesday and who may have witnessed the incident to contact police.