A TERRIFIED woman ice cream seller was forced to hand over cash when a syringe-wielding robber told her he had AIDS and threatened to stab her with the needle.

The man struck as the woman was working on her pitch next to the River Ouse at the bottom of Marygate, York, at about 3pm yesterday. The woman handed the raider £20 in cash.

The attacker was described as white, 5ft 6ins tall, aged in his late thirties to early forties, with a black beard. He was wearing a balaclava helmet and a blue anorak-type top with "Reebok" written on the back.

Police officers went to the scene and searched the area but could not find the man.

A man fitting his description was later seen by a member of the public in Lendal.

Sergeant Colin Ventress, of York police, said: "The victim was obviously very frightened by this incident particularly given the threats that were made.

"It was a sunny afternoon and there must have been a number of people in the area who may have seen what happened. We would ask them to come forward."

Updated: 14:50 Monday, June 24, 2002