A FEMALE motorist beaten unconscious by a robber who then stole her car has said she is lucky to be alive.

Samantha Davis, 38, of Englands Lane, Loughton, had just driven home from work and was checking in her car's boot when the violent robber struck.

She said: “I usually look around when I get out of my car and I didn't see anyone. I'd just shut the boot and that's when I got the first blow.

“They just completely smashed my face. I got a blow to one side of my head, I think it was from a baseball bat, and it was over and done with in five seconds.

“My neighbour found me on the pavement. I don't know how long I was out for- I only woke up in the ambulance.”

The last thing Miss Davis remembers is someone snatching the car keys from her hand. The robber made off in her black BMW 1 series which had a 59 plate.

The incident took place one week after a 47-year-old woman fought off an attempted car-jacker in Old Station Road, Loughton, and one month after a 25-year-old woman was beaten to the floor by a robber in Rous Road, Buckhurst Hill, who then made off with her BMW.

Essex Police are not linking the crimes although a spokeswoman said they were “keeping an open mind”.

Miss Davis said: “We've only been in Loughton a year. I thought it was very nice up here and I brought my children up here to have a better life. I never expected this.

“I don't know if I'd been followed or what. There's a million things you think of. On my road there's cars which are much more expensive. I don't know if they steal cars to order. They're obviously targeting this area.

“I don't know how anyone could do this. You wouldn't expect any normal man to do this to someone.

“My face was so swollen I couldn't breathe properly and I've got bruises on my chest and back from when they kicked me on the floor.

“I smashed my head on the pavement when I fell. They left me and didn't know if I was alive or dead.”

Anyone with information on the incident, which happened around 8pm on Monday, October 25 is asked to call DC Saber Mhatay at Loughton on 0300 333 4444, or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.