A Good Samaritan saved an elderly woman from falling victim to muggers for a second time.

Hakan Hossein, 41, was walking in Wadham Road, Walthamstow, on Friday at noon when he spotted 84-year-old Hilda Toole being “roughed up” by a man and woman near the pathway to her house.

Mr Hossein, of Waltham Way in Chingford, called out to the victim and asked her if she was OK, to which she replied: ‘no love, they’re trying to take my purse’.

He then confronted the thieves and threatened to call the police.

The male mugger then ran off with Mr Hossein in pursuit, while Mrs Toole locked herself in her home.

Mr Hossien then called the police but, by the time they arrived, both muggers got away.   

The attack happened after Mrs Toole got off the 212 bus at the top of Winchester Road.

As she arrived at her home, she realised she was being followed when she saw the muggers’ reflection in a window.

Mrs Toole said: “When I got to my front door and saw a shadow in my reflection, I knew straight away that something was wrong.

“The woman was holding a £10 note in her hand and saying, ‘look you’ve dropped your money’, but I knew I hadn’t.

“They both then started shouting at me in broken English saying ‘look look! Check your purse!’

“At this point, they started pulling on my bag, which was strapped across my shoulder, and grabbing my hands.

“I was absolutely terrified, but then this man came over and threatened to call the police.”

Mr Hossein said: "This is not the first time I have heard about this type of scam, and they seem to be targeting the elderly.

"The male mugger had a very distinctive look, he was over 6 ft tall and had four gold teeth. I hope the police find out who they are so it won't happen again."

This is the third time in three years that Mrs Toole has been a mugging victim.

In 2010, a man had watched her key in her pin number at an ATM cash machine at Bakers Arms and when her purse was stolen shortly afterwards £900 was taken from her account.

Police have been unable to comment.