'Callous' thief stole from seizure victim

Police and national charity Epilepsy Action today said they were appalled that someone could have stooped so low.

The thief struck as the 23-year-old lay helpless on the ground, helping themselves to a shoulder-bag containing the victim's mobile phone, cash and other possessions.

Police said the theft happened in broad daylight as the man walked across the Burgess Road end of the common.

It comes just two months after a similar incident in Winchester, where a thief stole money from a 35-year-old man and tried to take his trainers as he suffered an epileptic fit in a city subway.

Today Barbara Pinder, of Epilepsy Action, the UK's largest epilepsy charity, said: "It is absolutely despicable that someone would do something like this.

"We find it sickening that someone would take advantage of a person having an epileptic seizure. We would hope that most people would respond by administering basic first aid instead of taking the opportunity to steal in this way."

Southampton police spokesman Lucy Dibdin added: "It is just sickening that a person suffering such a serious medical complaint should be targeted by a thief in this way.

"Clearly the person who stole this man's bag is extremely callous and has no morals.

"We urge the public to help us catch this offender and hopefully get this young man's bag back."

Police said the victim, who has not been named, made his own way to Southampton General Hospital's casualty department after the incident last Thursday afternoon.

It is thought he started having a seizure around 5pm. When he recovered, his black Caterpillar shoulder bag was nowhere to be found.

Police said the bag had contained a black wallet, switch card, library, video and sports centre cards, £140 cash, a Nokia 3410 mobile phone, wraparound Dirty Dog sunglasses and a blue Quick Silver sweatshirt.

Call Southampton crimedesk on 0845 045 4545, or the anonymous Crimestoppers line on 0800 555 111 with information.