Woman speaks out after she was abused by teens because of her disability

Video report by ITV News Meridian's John Ryall

A woman from Sussex has told how she was verbally abused by a group of teenagers because of her disability.

Nicole Rishman was in her wheelchair in Worthing when she asked two girls and two boys if she could pass them on a path.

After verbally abusing her, they then took her hat and threw it into a bush.

She said: "All of a sudden she [one of the group] starting picking on me, saying 'what happened to your legs?'

"Then she stole my hat off my head, chucked it in a bush and asked me 'what happened to your hair?'"

Luckily, Nicole's tormentors backed off after a passerby intervened.

Nicola has spina bifida which means she is unable to walk, and she also has learning difficulties.

The 38-year-old says it will be a long time before she feels able to venture out on her own again.Sussex Police confirmed they are treating it as a hate crime.

Nicole says she has gone public with her story to help with the appeal for witnesses to the incident, which happened on 28 July in Bourne Close, West Durrington.

Investigating officer PCSO Barry Bastable said: "The incident left the victim feeling shaken but there was an elderly man passing by who escorted her safely home.

"We are appealing for witnesses or anyone with information about what happened to get in touch with us."

Anyone with information should contact Sussex Police quoting serial 25 of 29/07 or contact Crimestoppers.