Disabled church-goer punched in face by yob on Portsmouth street after wishing him 'nice day' - update
Disabled man attacked as he walked home
The hunt continues for a drunken yob who attacked a disabled church-goer by repeatedly punching him in the face during an unprovoked assault.
John Game wished the attacker a “nice day” but was left with blood pouring down his face and a black eye after the thug hurled a torrent of abuse before attacking him in Winchester Road, Buckland, around 5pm on Thursday.
As reported, the partially disabled 62-year-old, who had a major stroke eight years ago and suffers with a spinal disease, was minding his own business as he walked past the drunk “bully”, thought to be in his 30s.
John said: “I was walking home and there was a man shouting abuse on the street and saying derogatory things to me. I said ‘have a nice day’ and carried on walking.
“I turned into my road and could sense somebody was behind me. I turned around and he started punching me in the face a few times. It was a totally unprovoked assault.
“I was in pain but luckily I was able to stay on my feet despite having a walking impairment and bad balance.”
A woman witnessed the attack and said she was willing to make a statement to police. “It’s now down to the police what happens next,” John said. “I want action taken.
“I don’t want others to be assaulted in unprovoked attacks. It’s unthinkable that it can happen on a street at that time of day. I’ve been a working man all my life and at my age I do not expect that to happen to me.”
John said all he could remember of his attacker was that he was aged in his 30s and white. “He had obviously been drinking,” he continued. “To pick on a weak and partially disabled man is absolutely disgusting. He’s a bully who was taking advantage.”
Since his ordeal John said he has been left “pretty shaken up” but is “trying my best to carry on as normal”.
He has taken refuge at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Kingston Crescent after admitting he felt “very frightened and vulnerable in my house” after the incident.
John added: “I just want people to be aware and be careful. You expect to feel safe in your road at that time of day.”
Despite there being a witness and a public appeal by police, the force has so far drawn a blank in their hunt, a spokesperson said. The attack also angered News readers who described the attacker as a “vile human” who was a “coward” while describing the attack as “appalling”.
A police spokesperson previously said: “A man in his 60s was assaulted in Winchester Road, Portsmouth. He received minor facial injuries.
“Anyone who witnessed this or has any more information should call 101 quoting reference 44260190184.”