A MOTHER spoke of her terror last night after being attacked by a hooded man in broad daylight as she pushed her baby in his pram.

Vicky Behan, 29, from Greenmeadow, Cwmbran, says she feared for the safety of her nine-month-old son as she was grabbed and shoved to the ground by her attacker who demanded cash.

The mother of two says she was left shattered by the attack. "I was petrified - when I was hanging on to the buggy I at least felt some sort of security," she said.

"But when I was pushed away from it I thought 'Oh my god, my son!' "I feared for the safety of both of us, but mostly for my son Kristian." Now Mrs Behan says she cannot face using the footpath she normally walks nine or ten times a week.

"I wonder if it was for drugs or drink and if he is still out there," she said. The attack happened on Monday at about 1.50pm, on Farlow Walk, close to Fairwater Infants School where she attends an adult education class. "I felt my shoulder being grabbed and I was pulled around to face this man.

"He asked for money and I said I'd left my purse at home and didn't have any. His breath smelt of alcohol and cigarettes.

"He pushed me back and rifled through the baby bag throwing all the milk, wipes and other things on the floor. Then he grabbed my face and said he didn't believe me and pushed me to the floor. I remember thinking 'Go, please just go and leave us'."

The incident has brought back painful memories for Mrs Behan who suffered a violent attack six years ago in Thornhill at the hands of youths demanding money.

She added: "I didn't think about anything at the time of Monday's attack. "Then afterwards you think 'what if' - it could have been so much worse when I think about what happened to Abigail Witchalls (the young mum left paralysed by a stabbing).

"On Monday night I didn't sleep I just keep seeing pictures of him picking up Kristian.

"I didn't even dare to put the rubbish out I was so frightened and my husband Mark took me to the school on Tuesday and friends escorted me back."

But yesterday Mrs Behan says she forced herself to walk her five-year-old son Daniel to school on her own.

"It's really shocked all my friends this could happen in broad daylight but I feel I've just got to get on with things," she said.

Gwent Police have issued an urgent appeal. The man is pale, with short, sandy hair, of slim build, with a thin face, and about 5ft 8ins tall. He was wearing a grey hooded top, and grey trousers.

If you can help, call Gwent Police on 01633 838111 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111