A WOMAN was badly hurt by a man who attacked her as she was opening up a cafe.
The 52-year-old victim was unlocking Break Time on Lower Fitzwilliam Street, Huddersfield, near Leeds Road, at 5.45am on Thursday when the robber struck.
She was carrying a white plastic bag, and as she opened the door he rushed in, knocked her over and tried to grab the bag.
During the struggle he punched her hard in the face, before running off with the bag, which contained cash.
The woman was taken to Huddersfield Royal Infirmary.
She had suffered a broken nose, a bruised face and jaw and a bruise above her hip.
Pc Dave McSweeney, of Huddersfield police, said: "This was a very nasty attack, which left the victim badly hurt and in severe shock.
"The level of violence used by this man was totally unnecessary," he added.
"It would have been quiet in the area at that time of the morning, so the attacker may well have stood out to anyone walking or driving by."
He was described as African-Caribbean, about 5ft 9in tall and quite fat. He had short, black, Afro hair with stubble on his upper lip.
He wore a blue hooded top which had red marks on the right side of the chest, dark jeans and white footwear.
Anyone who saw him or knows who he is should ring Huddersfield CID on 01484 436582 or Crime- stoppers, free and anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
