SCOTS police are investigating a sickening robbery on a disabled man as he sat in his wheelchair at home.
Police are appealing for witnesses after the 44-year-old victim was targeted on Thursday afternoon at Easthouses Court, Dalkeith, Midlothian.
The incident occurred between 12.30pm and 1.20pm.
The man was sitting alone in his wheelchair, within the property, when a male walked in.
The robber engaged the victim in conversation before stealing his wallet, which was on his lap.
After a struggle, the suspect wrestled the wallet away and made off from the property.
The suspect is described as white, mid-forties with a slim build, dark hair and a goatee beard and moustache.
He was wearing a black beanie hat, a black three quarter length jacket and blue jeans.
Detective Inspector Martin Black said: “The victim was not injured during this incident, but was left very distressed after a male entered his home uninvited and robbed him of his wallet.
“We are conducted local enquiries to see if residents in the area saw anything suspicious and are keen to hear from anyone with information that can help with this investigation.
“Similarly, anyone who recognises the description of the suspect and can assist officers in identifying him is asked to contact police immediately.”
Margot Russell, Labour councillor for the Dalkeith ward, said: “It’s frightening if disabled people are being targeted and I do hope that the police get a good response following their appeal.
“We must come down hard on people who take advantage of the most vulnerable people in our society.
“I seriously hope it is a unique set of circumstances.
“Disabled people are easy targets and those responsible should be looked on harshly.”
Last year a blind and disabled former biker revealed how he bravely fought back at a knife-wielding robber.
Stuart Gunn, 38, opened his door to the vile criminal, thinking he was a postman delivering ordered Christmas presents.
But if the robber thought he had found a vulnerable target he was proved spectacularly wrong as the former motorcycle racer fought back with crutches and chased him out of his Edinburgh home.
