Assault on middle aged man treated as disability hate crime (From St Helens Star)

Assault on middle aged man in Prescot treated as disability hate crime

1:55pm Wednesday 19th September 2012 in News By St Helens Star newsdesk

POLICE have released CCTV footage of a gang of youths following an attack on a middle aged man, who was punched to the floor.

In the early hours of Sunday, July 15, a group of people were standing outside Uno’s Pizza on High Street in Prescot.

A 56-year-old man, who is deaf and has a speech impediment, accidently bumped into one of the youths as he attempted to enter the takeaway.

It led to an altercation between the two and he was knocked to the ground.

He was taken into the takeaway and a number of people who were inside started to argue with the gang.

It led to a large scale disturbance on the street, during which, some individuals attempted to cause criminal damage to the shop.

Several people fled the scene before police arrived.

Two males, aged 15 and 16 have been arrested for affray in connection with the incident and a number of other people have been identified and questioned by police.

The 56-year-old wasn’t seriously injured, but was left shaken.

It is being investigated by the police’s Sigma Unit as a disability hate crime.

Detective Constable Peter Dibbert said: "This was a violent and unprovoked attack on a man who was just going order some food and we urge anyone who saw what happened to get in touch with us.

"At the time of the incident the incident there was a number of people in the vicinity and some of them got involved in the disturbance that occurred after the man had been assaulted. "Although we have identified a number of people who were in the area at the time we are still keen to speak to the people pictured. "We believe these youths could have information about this incident that could be vital to our investigation and I would urge them or anyone who recognises them to get in touch with us.

"We are treating this extremely seriously and urge people to help us bring the person responsible to justice."

The two people arrested were questioned by detectives and have been bailed pending further enquiries. Anyone with information is asked to contact Merseyside Police on 0151 777 6545 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.