Police hunt driver after 'mobility scooter rage' attack in Newton Abbot
A DISABLED man in a mobility scooter was allegedly punched by another man — who climbed out of his mobility scooter to hit him.
The victim needed hospital treatment after suffering a black eye and small cut on his nose in the incident which happened in the middle of a busy South Devon shopping precinct.
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The 53-year-old disabled man from Newton Abbot is still having treatment for damage to a tear duct since the assault.
Police are appealing for information about the incident which happened outside the main Austin's department store in Newton Abbot.
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PC Stephen Perrins said: "The attack happened at about 5pm to 5.30pm so there would have been a lot of people around, especially people finishing work.
"One man on a mobility scooter was assaulted by another male who got off his mobility scooter to carry out the assault.
"It is a bit of an unusual story, and I am quite surprised that nobody called us at the time to report it happening.
"The two men were not known to each other.
"There is CCTV which shows the victim coming from the direction of Ridgway's Shoes in Bank Street towards Courtenay Street, and the other mobility scooter has gained on him.
"As it passes, our victim stops and puts some crumbs from a packet of biscuits out for the birds.
"The other man has an old-fashioned car horn which he has tooted as he goes by.
"Then when the victim caught up with him outside the main Austin's, he asked him 'What's all that about? Why are you tooting at me?' and the other chap said 'Don't you know it's illegal to feed the birds'.
"Then he got out of his mobility scooter and punched him in the face."
Police have been investigating but have so far failed to identify the attacker.
The incident happened on Wednesday, August 29, at between 5pm and 5.30pm.
If anyone can help police with any information regarding the assault they are asked to please call the Devon and Cornwall non-emergency 101 phone number and quote the crime number JN/12/2391.
Comments
by dimondbabe
Monday, October 01 2012, 10:27AM
“know i shouldnt laugh but this is SO FUNNY!!! maybe all the old people always having a go at teenagers shoud learn to behave THEMSELF first!!! but i do hope the poor man is ok, maybe mrtappers is right that people with scooters need a driving test and insurance like evryone else?”
by mrtappers
Friday, September 28 2012, 4:58PM
“So tell me do the police check if these thugs are even insured to ride these things the wrong way up one way streets ,on pavements clipping ankles and forcing mothers and babies in prams onto the road.I'm sorry but most of the so called disabled are abusing the system,if a bloke can get up and punch another in a scooter he can't be that disabled.They should all have a driving awareness test ,be proven to be properly disabled (not just too lazy to walk anywhere),be not allowed to drive these things under the influence of drugs or booze and display proof of insurance,before they are let loose onto our streets”
by PGStrange
Friday, September 28 2012, 4:05PM
“Re: Police hunt driver after 'mobility scooter rage' attack in Newton Abbot. An extraordinary story, but one that has had a serious repercussion, with the victim still requiring treatment. If you can help the police with any information regarding the assault, please call the Devon and Cornwall non-emergency 101 phone number and quote the crime number JN/12/2391.”
by reptor2456
Thursday, September 27 2012, 4:17PM
“Another slow news day for the award winning herald...zzzzzzzzzzzz”
by spindles12
Thursday, September 27 2012, 4:00PM
“If disabled people are going to be fully integrated into mainstream society, it stands to reason that they will be subject to the same laws as the rest of us, I suppose..."
I totally agree but I'm afraid that won't go down well with disabled people. It would mean they couldn't park on double yellow lines or indeed anywhere they choose to park, whether it's causing an obstruction or is in a dangerous position. The latest I heard from a disabled friend of mine is that she is able to drive over the Severn Bridge without having to pay - why? She receives disability benefit of some sort and doesn't seem to have any problem with gadding here there and everywhere in her car so I don't think she's short of a few bob so why shouldn't she pay like everyone else?
Regarding the assault for feeding the birds, is it illegal to feed them in Newton Abbot?”
by Karen362
Thursday, September 27 2012, 12:44PM
“I wonder if this is a new trend and we'll see an increase in the number of muggers using mobility aids? Criminality exists in all walks of life, after all, so we shouldn't be that surprised. I've observed affluent, middle-classed women pinch vegetables from Sainsbury, yet they go undetected because they're above suspicion and are treated as sacred cows most of the time. If disabled people are going to be fully integrated into mainstream society, it stands to reason that they will be subject to the same laws as the rest of us, I suppose...”
by howson
Thursday, September 27 2012, 11:50AM
“plenty of mobility there then!!!!”
by rivierarover
Thursday, September 27 2012, 11:41AM
“Scooter Rage?”