A WOMAN was attacked from behind after she declined to give a pound coin to a man in Poole.

The local woman, aged in her 50s, was walking from Longfleet Road into Kingston Road at around 6pm on Wednesday, May 8, when she saw a group of men sat on benches in a pedestrian area.

One of the men approached her and asked for a pound.

She said she did not have one and apologised before continuing to walk up Kingston Road.

Shortly afterwards she was pushed from behind and fell to the ground, landing on her right hand side. She got to her feet and ran off towards Wimborne Road.

She went to hospital the next day and was found to have three fractured ribs, as well as bruising to her knee, thigh and elbow.

Police are keen to speak to a woman who was passing by after the woman was assaulted and stopped to ask if she was alright.

Contact Dorset Police on 101 with information, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.