VILLAGE residents last night spoke of their shock after a pregnant woman was robbed by two people who pinned her against a wall and punched her in the stomach.

One woman said she was now scared to leave the house at night following the robbery, in New Brancepeth, near Durham, County Durham, on Tuesday night.

It is thought the victim, who was taken to hospital but has since been discharged, was followed by the suspects after she got off the bus outside New Brancepeth Club, at about 8.40pm.

She was walking home when a man and a woman are said to have approached her in Prospect Terrace, and after a struggle, pinned her against a wall and punched her multiple times in the stomach and head.

They made off after discovering their victim's purse did not have any money in it.

The Northern Echo:

A woman was robbed in Prospect Terrace, New Brancepeth on Tuesday

Lucy Debrick, 24, who lives in the village, said: "I know the woman it happened to. She's alright but I'm scared to leave the house now at night.

"For someone who suffers from anxiety already, to hear this, it makes it a lot worse.

"It's usually quiet here. You don't hear anything."

Another woman, who did not want to be named, said: "That sort of thing is unusual.

"It's horrible – poor lady. It's a scary thing."

Another man added: "Nothing like that happens around here.

"Everyone knows everyone."

The woman went the University Hospital of North Durham following the robbery and has since been discharged.

Detective Sergeant Mark Garfoot, from Durham City CID said: “This was a traumatic incident for the woman and we would like to ask the public to help us catch the people responsible.”

The suspects are said to have spoken with a local accent.

The male suspect is described as being around 6ft 3, of slim build wearing a baseball cap, Helly Hansen jacket, black tracksuit bottoms and dark footwear.

The female suspect is described as being around 5ft, in her late 20’s with bleach blonde hair. She was wearing a black padded coat with a fur hood, white jeans and black UGG boots.

Anyone who saw the suspects around this time or has any information about the incident is asked to call Durham Police on 101, quoting reference number 148 of February 5.