He pushed me back and hit me in the face and then he emptied my pockets

Attack victim

The woman said it was a terrifying ordeal.

"He came from behind and grabbed me," she said.

"He said: 'Where is your purse' and I told him I didn't have one.

"He then pushed me back and hit me in the face and then he emptied my pockets. Then he ran back down the entry."

Police have appealed for information about the attack on the woman, who is five months pregnant.

The woman is recovering at home.

Ulster Unionist Party assembly member Tom Hamilton said violent attacks in the area were on the increase.

He said: "My reaction is one of absolute horror to this attack.

"To be attacking anyone, let alone a pregnant woman, is an absolute disgrace."