Elderly man hurt in York attack

North Yorkshire Police are appealing for witnesses after an elderly man was seriously assaulted in York.

The victim, a 71-year-old man from Leeds, sustained a fractured foot, a cut lip and lost several teeth when he was attacked by three men on Rougier Street at around 8.45pm on Tuesday 31 January 2012.

He was making his way across Rougier Street to the bus stop with his son, who suffers from a mental disorder, after a day shopping in the city when they were forced to step back onto the pavement to avoid an oncoming car.

The car slowed down and stopped next to the victim and his son and words were exchanged between them and the occupants of the vehicle.

As the victim and his son continued across the road, a group of three men unrelated to the initial altercation approached from the direction of Tanner Row and got involved. One of the men punched the victim in the face, knocking him to the ground and his legs were stamped on as he lay in the street.

The men then ran off in the direction of Holgate.

Officers have been making extensive enquiries in the area, including reviewing CCTV footage of the incident and are now appealing for any witnesses to come forward.

PC Tom Copeland, of York police, said: "This was a vicious attack on a vulnerable people which resulted in serious injuries to a 71-year-old man. This has caused the victim considerable pain and distress.

"Our enquiries have established that at the time of the incident several cars passed by and had to stop to avoid the incident taking place in the road.

"I am appealing to the drivers of those vehicles to come forward as they may have information vital to the investigation.

"I would also appeal to anyone else who witnessed the incident to get in touch with the police or Crimestoppers.

"The occupants of the vehicle who were involved in the initial exchange of words have been assisting police with their enquiries, however we need to trace the three men who were involved in the actual assault."

Anyone who can help the investigation is urged to contact North Yorkshire Police on 101 - select option 2 - and ask for Tom Copeland or York police.

Alternatively, Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously on 0800 555 111.

http://www.northyorkshire.police.uk

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