Gang ‘mugged terrified tot and disabled mother’
OAP, 80, knocked unconscious in cowardly attack
A BATTERED 80-year-old man lies bruised, bandaged and wearing an oxygen mask after a thug attacked him from behind in a road-rage row.
Police are hunting a balding motorist who pulled over and got out of his car to target elderly pedestrian Paul Eva.
The OAP suffered multiple injuries – including a broken wrist, nose and cheekbone – after he was shoved to the ground and banged his head against a brick wall.
He was knocked unconscious for two POLICE are hunting a gang of thugs who mugged a five-year-old boy for his mum’s mobile phone as she watched helplessly from her mobility scooter.
The youngster was standing with his disabled mother when five men minutes and cannot remember anything about the sickening assault.
Mr Eva, described by neighbours as a “kind, lovely gentleman”, had an altercation with the driver while crossing the road with his wife on Easter Sunday.
CCTV footage shows the thug pull over, chase the OAP and tackle him.
Witness Kevin Walsh, 53, described the cowardly attack as “truly shocking”.
He said: “Paul is not frail, but he is 80 years old and he shuffles a little bit.
“His wife had crossed over the road and he was a little bit behind. A car came down the road, an impatient driver, and surrounded the pair and snatched the phone from the boy’s hands.
They even attacked his 45-year-old mum, leaving the vulnerable epilepsy sufferer with heavy bruising.
The pair were targeted by the gang tooted his horn as if to say ‘come on’. Paul gave him a gesticulation. In the time it took him to reach the pavement the driver pulled up, got out of his car, and shoved him in the back.
“I think Paul had his hands in his pockets. He’s smashed his face. There was no warning.
“His wife didn’t see what happened, they were so close to being home. The man got back in his car, from what I heard he had a child in it, and drove off.”
Police are appealing for witnesses to the assault at about 7.50pm on April 21 in Penge, South East London. Met outside a chemist in Southend-on-Sea, Essex, last Friday.
The mum, who did not want to be named, said: “I was in shock – I panicked and froze. My son was screaming and crying.” She added: “He’s only five, he
Detective Constable Luke Thomson said: “The victim suffered horrific injuries in a nonsensical attack, which could have cost him his life.”
The suspect is wanted on suspicion of causing grievous bodily harm.
He is a white man, aged around 40, 5ft 10in to 6ft tall, of large build with a bald or shaved head. He was wearing a lightblue T-shirt and dark-blue shorts. There was also a female passenger. Anyone with any information should contact the police or Crimestoppers. doesn’t want to play outside now and he’s worried that he’ll be kidnapped.”
Three suspects were said to be in their 40s or 50s, and the other two were thought to be in their 20s.
Essex Police said they are investigating.