Mr White, who suffers from angina, immediately sprang into action. He took off his jacket and jumped into the filthy, waist-deep water while his wife and dog waited nearby just out of sight. But when he grabbed the child's leg he realised it was actually a doll.
When Mr White turned around he saw the woman and her male accomplice stealing from his coat. As he attempted to get back to the path he was squirted in the face with a substance from a plastic bottle, which burned his nose and eyes. The thieves then fled east through Foxes Forest, in Hilsea, Portsmouth, with Mr White's tobacco and more than £100 in cash.
Both Mr White and police blasted the thieves as 'sick'. Mr White said: 'I felt stupid that I fell for a trick. I thought I was trying to help someone. It even made me feel like next time someone asks for help, I'd just walk past. They're playing dangerous, dangerous games. I think they're sick. I've been thinking about it, and either they're desperate for money to feed some addiction, or they're just thrill-seekers out to see what they can get.
'I don't think it would've mattered to them if it was me or a pensioner. They probably would've struck the first person they saw. If anyone did see them, let police know. They need to be caught before they go one step further.'
The bizarre theft happened at around 10.30am on Wednesday, and the doll has been taken by police as evidence. Detective Constable Chris Dinenage said: 'This is a rare and unique incident that has happened in a well-used recreational area of Portsmouth. The method used by the offenders is quite sickening and the victim acted in good faith to assist a seemingly helpless member of public.'
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