OUR front page story today about a hooded man trying to mug two women at Clifton Backies is deeply saddening and yet also in its own way inspiring.

Saddening, because for one of the women, Clifton Backies had very special memories.

Carol Riddell had lost her partner Doug Heald just days before the attack. Clifton Backies was one of his favourite places, and she had gone there with a friend to feel close to him. We’d hate to think what happened could spoil the beauty of the Backies for her. But the story is also inspiring because Carol and her friend, who doesn’t want to be named, resolutely refused to be intimidated.

When the mugger demanded their bags, the friend looked him in the eye and said ‘no’. She then pretended to describe him into her mobile ‘phone. “He just ran off like a scared rabbit!” she said.

After going back to Carol’s house for dinner, the friend then took her back to Clifton Backies. “I didn’t want Carol’s memory of that place turned bad,” she said, adding: “I fell on my face in the mud, so I hope that’s Carol’s memory of that day.”

What a great display of spirit from these two indomitable women.

As for the mugger: what a cowardly, despicable person. The police are now investigating, and have urged anyone who saw anything to come forward.

Please do, if you know anything at all. This man must be caught and punished.