A NURSE has branded three muggers as "pathetic" after they knocked her off her bike and robbed her as she cycled home.
The 31-year-old had just finished a 12-hour shift at the Queen's Medical Centre when the trio attacked her in Radford Bridge Road, Beechdale, on Monday night.
She was cycling towards the railway bridge at about 11.30pm when she noticed three men ahead of her.
Before she had time to react, one ran up to her and sent her sprawling into the road with a push.
The nurse, who did not want to be identified, said: "I hit the road and skidded along for a couple of metres and came to a stop.
"Then everything happened really fast."
As she lay on the floor, one of the three tried to kick her back, but hit her rucksack instead.
She added: "I didn't know what was going on. They just started shouting 'give me some money' and I was saying I didn't have any. Then one said, 'give me your phone' because they must have seen I had headphones on."
As she lay dazed on the ground, one man rifled her pockets and took her white iPhone 3GS.
The nurse, who works in the Accident and Emergency department, also saw one of the three waving a cloth-covered object at her.
She added: "He was holding the base of something and I think he wanted me to think he had a gun but it didn't look the right shape."
After taking her phone, one of the group snatched her blue Regatta rucksack and they ran off.
Inside was paperwork and work clothes, with about £1.25 in a trouser pocket.
The nurse was helped by a man who walked by a short time later and called police.
She said: "I try not to think about them (the robbers) but I just don't want it to happen to anyone else.
"I just think it's a bit pathetic that they have to be doing that to someone on a Monday night, that they haven't got anything better to do."
The nurse suffered bruises to her body and grazed knees.
Two of the men are white, in their late teens or early 20s, and wore dark clothing.
The other is black, in his late teens or early 20s, and was wearing dark clothing and a hooded top.
Detectives want to speak to anyone who has information about the incident, particularly a white man on a bicycle who passed the muggers in Radford Bridge Road just before the robbery.
Detective Constable Mike Ebbins said: "It would appear the offenders targeted the victim for her mobile phone. However, they were not satisfied with just the phone and were intent on using violence against their unsuspecting victim to get her bag as well.
"She was injured and incredibly shaken by the incident and I would urge anyone who has information to contact police and tell us what you know."
Detectives would also like to speak to anyone who was in the area at the time.
If you can help, contact Detective Constable Ebbins at Oxclose Lane CID on 101 extension 8034337, or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.
