Muggers stopped a man in a wheelchair and threatened to kill him before robbing him.

Jim Gregory, who has cerebral palsy, had his wallet and £70 stolen in the attack, described today by police as among the most callous and cowardly they had ever witnessed.

Recovering at home, he said: "I was angry with myself for being disabled and not being able to get up out of my wheelchair and defend myself."

Mr Gregory had been shopping was making his way along a footpath in Crawley in his electric wheelchair when he was stopped by two teenagers.

When they demanded he hand over his wallet, the terrified 41-year-old begged his attackers to let him keep his benefits card.

As he was fumbling through the wallet one of the youths shouted: "Hurry up, we haven't got all ****day."

He managed to retrieve the card before they grabbed the wallet and cash.

Mr Gregory has been unable to afford groceries and has been living on toast and food handouts from his neighbours since the attack.

He said: "A lot of emotions are running through my mind.

"I agreed to issue an appeal through The Argus about what happened because I'd hate this to happen to a 70-year-old lady.

"Let's hope the buggers get caught."

The attack happened between Trefoil Crescent and Broadfield School, Crawley, at 1pm on Tuesday last week.

Inspector Tim Tapley, from the North Downs Division of Sussex Police, said: "This stands out as a particularly callous and cowardly attack where a disabled man in a wheelchair was targeted.

"Fortunately, such incidents are extremely rare but we are absolutely determined to catch the two offenders responsible and bring them to justice."

One youth, called Lee by his accomplice, was white, with a pale complexion, about 5ft 4in and aged 18.

His accomplice was white, 5ft 2in and about 15 to 16.

Mr Tapley said: "I would urge anybody who witnessed the incident, or who thinks they may know the identity of these men, to contact Sussex Police on 0845 6070999."