A terminally ill man was beaten and robbed just two weeks before what could be his last Christmas.

Eddie Walters, who is suffering from leukaemia and has been given six months to live, was attacked outside his local Co-op yesterday.

A young mugger threw him against a metal gate and Eddie fell to the ground.

Eddie pleaded: "Please, just don't hit me," but the thief knelt on him and snatched his wallet from his hand.

Doctors had warned him a bang or a knock could trigger his leukaemia and he could die sooner.

The thief fled after a woman screamed and Co-op staff in Kemp Town, Brighton, rushed outside.

They took Eddie in, gave him tea and called the police.

Inside the wallet was pension money saved for the rent for his bedsit, where he lives alone.

Police are sickened by the robbery.

Eddie, 71, who lost his wife of 40 years in 1998, broke down in tears and said: "I'm scared now if anyone approaches me.

"I think it is despicable anyone should attack an old person."

Eddie was once a banqueting and restaurant manager at a string of top city hotels, including the Metropole, Old Ship and the Norfolk.

His illness was diagnosed two years ago.

He said: "The hospital told me I was too old to treat, that I would need a lot of blood and that with patients over 50 they could not guarantee success.

"They said they would sooner use the blood on younger people who had a better chance."

Eddie decided to fight. He sold his home in The Drive, Hove, gave part of the money to his stepdaughter and used the rest, £28,000, to pay for treatment in Italy.

It bought him time but Eddie said: "I'm in remission but they've told me it will come back. I have about six months."

Now living on his old age pension, Eddie is confined to a small room with a single bed, small cooker and an electric heater.

Police yesterday sent a letter to social security detailing the robbery and explaining Eddie's medical and financial trouble.

They gave him a cheque for just under £30, along with a note saying they wanted repaying.

They will take the money from his pension in £8 instalments.

Asked what he will do for rent money, Eddie said: "I'll have to appeal to my landlady."

Eddie is being cared for by his long-time friend Patricia Hassell, 62, who lives close by.

They met while working at the Old Ship. He called her "the greatest friend of my life".

She said: "Eddie is very gentle and would not say boo to a goose. He is very caring and looked after me when I damaged my back.

"What happened to him was dreadful."

Acting Detective Sergeant Alasdair Henry said: "It is a sickening attack and a tragic story. This man could have killed Eddie because of his condition."

It happened at 8.10am at the junction of St George's Road and College Place.

The mugger was 20 to 25, 5ft 4in, with olive skin, possibly of mixed race, with dark eyebrows, piercing eyes and pock marks on his face.

He wore light blue jeans and a beige coat with a fur-trimmed hood.

Anyone with information should contact Mr Henry on 0845 6070999, extension 50512.