POLICE have released this CCTV image of a man they want to speak to after a disabled woman was assaulted in Southampton.

The victim was in a wheelchair outside McDonald's and Tesco Express in Shirley High Street when she was approached by a man who made a gun gesture with his hand pointing at her.

He then pushed his hand against the 48-year-old woman's head, still in a gun gesture.

He made sounds of a gun firing and moved his hand as if a pistol was recoiling, officers say.

She swore and shouted at him, drawing the attention of passers-by, and he walked off in the direction of the city centre, towards the railway station.

The victim did not receive any physical injuries but was left extremely distressed and shaken.

The incident happened at around 10.10pm on March 4.

The suspect is described as white, around 5ft 10ins tall, and aged around 30.

He was wearing dark blue jeans, a khaki green jacket and a khaki green beanie hat.

He is described as skinny and clean shaven.

PC Phil Deeprose said: “The victim has been left extremely upset and distressed by what has happened to her.

"She is disabled and uses a wheelchair, and she believes that the man targeted her because of her disability.

“She was assisted by passers-by after the incident, including a group of young girls who were in McDonald's.

"Were you one of the people who helped her? Did you witness what happened? Anyone who witnessed this incident or recognises the man in the CCTV, is urged to get in touch with us.”

Anyone with any information is asked to contact PC Deeprose at Southampton police station by calling 101 or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555111, where information can be left anonymously.