CCTV Appeal - Assault And Criminal Damage - Prescot
Merseyside Police has release CCTV stills of a number of
individuals officers would like to speak to in relation an incident
in Prescot that occurred on Sunday, 15 July.
At about 1.30am a number of youths were standing
outside Uno's Pizza on High Street as a 56-year-old man approached.
The man, who is deaf and has a speech impediment, bumped into one
of the youths accidentally as he attempted to enter the premises.
An altercation between the two ensued and the 56-year-old was
punched to the floor.
The man was then taken into the takeaway and a number of people
left the premises and began remonstrating with the youths. A large
scale disturbance then erupted in the street involving a large
number of people. During the disturbance some individuals attempted
to cause criminal damage to the store.
A number of people fled the scene prior to the arrival of
patrols.
Two males, aged 15 and 16, have been arrested for affray in
connection with the incident.
A number of other people have been identified and questioned by
police in relation to the matter.
The 56-year-old man although not seriously injured during the
incident has been left very shaken following the incident. The
assault of the man is being investigated by the Force's Sigma Unit
as a disability hate crime.
Detective Constable Peter Dibbert said: "This was a
violent and unprovoked attack on a man who was just going order
some food and we urge anyone who saw what happened to get in touch
with us.
"At the time of the incident the incident there were a
number of people in the vicinity and some of them got involved in
the disturbance that occurred after the man had been assaulted.
"Although we have identified a number of people who
were in the area at the time we are still keen to speak to the
people pictured.
"We believe these youths could have information about
this incident that could be vital to our investigation and I would
urge them or anyone who recognises them to get in touch with
us.
"We are treating this extremely seriously and urge
people to help us bring the person responsible to justice."
The two people arrested were questioned by detectives
and have been bailed pending further enquiries.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Merseyside
Police on 0151 777 6545 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.