ALTON police are putting out an urgent appeal for witnesses, after cowardly assault on a wheelchair-bound, disabled man as he made his way to Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve.
The victim, who relies on his electric wheelchair due to the loss of a leg and because he suffers from multiple sclerosis, was making his way to the Christmas service at St Lawrence Church.
He had got as far as Amery Street when he encountered a group of six youths, three males and three females, outside the Osteria Antica restaurant.
The victim said that the females kept walking, but he noticed the three males slow down.
As the males passed the disabled man, one of the youths hit him over the head with a object believed to be a bottle or a glass. The man suffered cuts and bruises to his head.
Case officer Pc Tuckey, said: ÒWe are seeking the six people involved in the offence. The three males ran away laughing after the incident, and we believe the girls to be involved also.
ÒThese people are cowards; they picked on a man who is confined to his wheelchair, on his way to celebrate Christmas. He was not harming anyone and did nothing to provoke the attack.
ÒWe are keen to speak to anyone who might have information on this appalling crime. Please call Alton police on 0845 045 45 45 if you can give us any help in bringing these people to justice.Ó