THE Blackburn boyfriend of a woman attacked for her mobile phone spoke today of how he heard her screams over his phone as she was mugged.

Rebecca Glover, 20, had finished her shift as a waitress and was on her way to meet Andy Parker, 26, when the thug pounced.

The thief was caught on CCTV dragging her to the ground and kicking her in the head, before stealing her mobile phone.

Boyfriend Andy, a chef, was forced to listen helpless to his girlfriend's terrified screams before the line went dead. Police are hunting the attacker.

Andy said: "We were chatting on the phone and midway through the conversation I just heard a piercing scream from Becky and then the phone went dead.

"I immediately jumped in my car and started driving to Preston. I felt helpless, as there was nothing I could do until I got there. It was horrendous.

"I rang work on the way as I knew roughly where she was and they were closer than me.

"When I arrived the police and ambulance were there.

"I could see Becky was really upset and shaken. I didn't know what to say or do, so I just gave her a big hug.

"I really don't want her to walk around by herself at night again.

"We are going to try to sort out some sort of shared car scheme or ensure people are walking home in pairs, so that this doesn't happen to anyone in the future."

Rebecca, who works part time at the Chop House restaurant owned by celebrity chef Paul Heathcote, was on her way to catch a train to meet Andy, on Thursday, April 20.

The attacker struck in the Fishergate Centre car park about 10pm.

The student, studying law and forensic science at the University of Central Lancashire, has vowed that the attack will not affect her.

She said: "I don't feel happy about travelling about on my own at night anymore. If there's a way round it, I'll take it.

"I am a bit jumpier than I was, even if someone just bangs a door, and I am much more wary now.

"I won't let it affect my life though. You can't let something like that do that to you or your attacker will win."

The attacker was in his early twenties, around 5ft 9ins and stocky. He had a skinhead and was wearing dark jeans, trainers and a white polo shirt with a blue stripe across the front and a number 28 on the back.

Anybody with information should call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.