A POPLEY grandmother has spoken of the terrifying moment a bogus charity worker punched her in the face after she declined to donate money.

Mother-of-two Lillian Martin, 50, was on her own at her home in Abbey Road, Popley, when she answered the door between 7.15pm and 7.35pm on Wednesday, September 23, to a man who claimed he was collecting for a children’s charity.

The 50-year-old was halfway through cooking her dinner and as she couldn’t see any identification or documents to verify the charity, she politely told the man that she was sorry but she “couldn’t give money to every charity that knocks at my door”.

The man then punched her in the mouth, causing her to fall backwards on to the floor.

The grandmother-of-one then mustered up the strength to kick the door shut and then lost consciousness for a short time before she could raise the alarm.

It is thought she hit her head as she fell, causing a large bump on the left side of her head.

She also received swelling and bruising to her left eye, cuts to her mouth and severe swelling and bruising to her chin, jaw and mouth.

The 50-year-old told The Gazette: “I am in shock and I don’t want to answer the door. My husband has put a chain on it but every time it knocks or rings, I shudder.

“I got punched in the face and he was trying to get in the door so somehow I managed to kick the door shut and then passed out because I banged my head.”

Mrs Martin added: “When he hit me, I was just laying there and bleeding and I just thought I couldn’t let him in because I was on my own and I don’t really know where I got the strength from to kick the door shut.

“I felt violated and I would like this person caught. I thought I was supposed to be babysitting my granddaughter that Wednesday but it is this Wednesday so it was lucky she wasn’t here.”

The man is described as white, aged in his mid 20s, of stocky build with short, dark hair.

He appeared clean shaven and was wearing a navy jumper and blue jeans.

PC Michaela Glaimster said: “This was a nasty and unprovoked attack which has left the victim in a great deal of discomfort.

“She was targeted in her own home which has left her feeling very shaken and distressed.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact Basingstoke police station on 101. Information can also be left anonymously by calling 0800 555 111.