ATTACK BREAKS ARM OF GOOD SAMARITAN
A SWANSEA man suffered a broken arm, cuts and bruises after he says he tried to stop a car being vandalised in Middlesbrough.
Dimitris Legakis, 40, runs his own photography business and was in the north-east town to cover Swansea City’s game yesterday.
Dimitris had gone to Middlesborough primarily for the Swansea game, but thought he would go out to get some pictures of Black Friday. He said: “I saw someone smashing up a car and I took pictures and called the police.”
Dimitris said he was then challenged as to why he was taking pictures and said he was then kicked in the head.
He said: “I tried to fight back, but having broken gear hanging from my neck made it hard. You go into defence mode and I covered myself with my arms and that is when a kick broke my arm. I was checking my teeth after, but they are all OK.”
Dimitris said he managed to get up and run but was kicked in the head five or six times.
According to Dimitris, it is the financial implications that will hit him harder than the pain.
“At the time I was shaken up but don’t want to let it ruin my life” he said. “The total value of the gear I had with me was about £8,000 and I estimate about half the gear is damaged. The broken arm means I need up to six weeks off work. I run a small business so not earning money is a no-no.”
Amazingly, his phone survived the incident. Dimitris said: “I went to pick it up afterwards and the police were still on the line.”
Despite the harrowing experience there is nothing the Swansea businessman would do differently again. He said: “Every time I play back in my head about the night I decide that I would have done the same again. Why one earth would someone smash up a car? Maybe I should mind my own business but the owner of that car deserved justice.”
A man has been arrested by police in connection with the incident.
Swans’ 3-0 woe: Sport