Mugging victim fights for life

A woman is fighting for her life in hospital today after she jumped on the bonnet of a car to stop a thief fleeing with her handbag.

The victim, in her forties, suffered a serious head injury as the car sped round the Waitrose car park in Holloway Road, Islington, trying to throw her off. After a few seconds the woman, who was shouting at the man to stop, fell to the ground and the car sped away.

She was taken to Whittington Hospital where she is in a critical but stable condition.

Detective Inspector Sue Williams said: " The vehicle pulled out of the space, hitting another car parked alongside. It accelerated and swerved to try to shake off the victim - she fell and suffered a head injury."

The woman's handbag was grabbed from her trolley as she pushed it into the car park at 4.30pm yesterday. Police said it contained a small amount of money, a chequebook, keys and personal possessions.

The getaway car was a white Vauxhall Nova, registration E744 CGW, which is believed to have been stolen and will have frontal damage. The only description police have is of a man of slim build. Anyone with information should call Islington CID on 020 7704 1212.