Cowardly attack on vulnerable victim
■ 63-YEAR-OLD KNOCKED FROM BIKE AFTER OBJECT HURLED FROM PASSING CAR
A 63-year-old man suffered multiple facial injuries and hurt his shoulder when he was knocked off his electric bike when an object was hurled at him from a moving car.
The man was riding along Commercial Road, Hendon, when the occupants of a passing white car threw an unknown object from the vehicle’s window, causing him to fall to the ground injured.
The victim, who Northumbria Police say is vulnerable and struggles with mobility, then fell off his bike and suffered substantial injuries to his face and shoulder.
This happened on Thursday, May 21, at around 2.30pm.
A motorist who was travelling behind in a dark grey estate-type vehicle pulled over to check on the injured man’s welfare, before driving after the offending vehicle to try to get a number plate.
An investigation is ongoing into the incident, and officers are now appealing for any witnesses – especially the man who pulled over to check on the victim – to come forward.
PC Kimberley Wright, of Northumbria Police, said in a statement on Friday, May 29: “This was a nasty incident that happened on Commercial Road at the junction of James Burrell Builders Merchants.
“The actions of the occupants of the white car caused the victim – a vulnerable man who struggles with mobility – to come off his electric bike and suffer various injuries to his face and shoulder.
“He has been shaken by the incident, and we are now determined to locate those individuals involved.
“We are aware from various inquiries that a Good Samaritan did stop shortly after the incident and help the man, before driving off in a bid to find the offending vehicle.
“We are now appealing for that witness to come forward and speak to us.
“Equally, if you were in the area at the time and saw what happened, please get in touch – it might prove crucial to our enquiries.”
Anyone with information concerning the incident is asked to contact police via the ‘Tell Us Something’ page of the force website quoting log 773 210520.
Alternatively, you can email 386@northumbria.pnn.police.uk