Officers investigating an assault on an elderly man in Christchurch are asking for the public’s help to identify the suspect from CCTV.
At 9.20am on Monday 7 October 2019 the victim – a local man aged in his 70s – got onto the 1A bus on Barrack Road.
The driver told the victim that he could not use his bus pass for another 10 minutes, however the victim continued to get on the bus and sit down.
A short time later the driver asked the victim to leave so he could continue. The suspect, who was a passenger on the bus, picked up the victim’s walking aid and hat and threw them off the bus onto the pavement.
The victim got off the bus to retrieve his items. As he attempted to step back on the bus, the suspect kicked the victim in the stomach causing him to fall back onto the pavement and bang his head on the ground.
Two boys, who were in the area at the time, went to the victim’s aid and helped him to his feet. The victim waited at the bus stop and got onto a second bus. He sustained a cut to his head and was treated in hospital.
Police Constable Jim Perks, of Christchurch police, said: “I am very keen to identify the suspect from this CCTV image and I would urge anyone who knows who he is to please contact Dorset Police.
“I would also appeal to anyone who witnessed the incident to please get in touch.”
Anyone with information is asked to contact Dorset Police at www.dorset.police.uk, via email [email protected] or by calling 101, quoting occurrence number 55190159218. Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or via www.crimestoppers-uk.org.
