A disabled man who went outside for the first time in three months was left “furious” when a thief snatched a mobile phone from his wheelchair.

Perry Carverry was passing through Kenilworth Gardens with a friend at around 6.30pm on Monday, when a man on a bike asked to borrow his iPhone 5.

The 23-year-old, who has muscular dystrophy, agreed – but felt helpless when his attacker put it in his pocket and cycled away from the scene.

He has now hit out at the “cruel” thief and is urging for witnesses of the crime to come forward.

Mr Carverry, who lives in Easton Gardens, Borehamwood, added: “It makes me angry. How dare someone come up to me, knowing I can’t run away because I am in a wheelchair?

“It is a cruel thing to do. I can’t go out when it’s cold because it makes my disease worse, so the minute the sun came out I was literally so excited to get some fresh air.

“My phone helped me get a bit of independence because and gave me the confidence to go out by myself. It was a true lifeline to me, but that’s lost now.”

Mr Carverry, who has two live-in carers, was on his way to the high street in Shenley Road, Borehamwood, at the time of the crime.

Instead he turned back home and phoned the police, who say they are investigating the incident.

Mr Carverry has had the condition, which causes weakened muscles, since birth and it has left him unable to hold down a full-time job.

He added: “I hope whoever did this feels guilty or has a big enough heart to return it. it has made me so upset.”