'Utterly deplorable' — community shocked by attack on 73-year-old in Downfield
High-visibility police patrols and door-to-door inquiries have been taking place in the Downfield area of Dundee after a 73-year-old man was assaulted by teenagers in an apparently unprovoked attack.
The scene of the attack.
- By Alan Wilson
- Published in the Courier : 23.01.12
- Published online : 23.01.12 @ 05.14pm
The ''shocking'' incident happened in daylight at around 8.15am on Saturday near Sidlaw View Primary School, when two or three youths confronted the man on the west pavement of Helmsdale Place near the junction with Harestane Road.
The man sustained a minor injury and was examined by a Scottish Ambulance Service crew at his home. Although said to be understandably shaken by the experience, a spokeswoman for the ambulance service confirmed he did not need to be taken to hospital for treatment.
Inspector David Scott said police were doing all they could to trace the perpetrators.
''This was a shocking incident at that time of the morning and on the face of it a completely unprovoked attack on a retired gentleman,'' he said. ''There is no apparent motive and he wasn't robbed of anything.
''We are completing door-to-door inquiries, not only at the scene but in the area where the gentleman had walked from. He had been at Asda and his movements from there and the youths may have been seen by people whose homes overlook where the males might have been following him.
''We will be following that up and also trying to find out if there is any private CCTV footage and doing a review of footage from Asda's CCTV cameras.
''In addition we will have high-profile officers in the area at that particular time just to reiterate to anybody who may have seen the gentleman or the males responsible.''
They are described as being aged 14 to 16 and about 5ft 6in.
Mr Scott said officers are keen to speak to anyone who was in the area at the time and who may have seen these youths, or anyone who has information about the crime, and urged them to contact police on 0300 111 2222 or speak to any officer.
Councillor Ian Borthwick, whose Strathmartine constituency covers the area, said it was an ''utterly deplorable'' situation where an elderly gentleman could be attacked in the street.
''I'm at a loss, as many people are, to understand what goes through people's minds to commit an unprovoked attack on helpless individuals,'' he said. ''It's just mindless violence. I sincerely hope that they will be apprehended, brought before the courts and properly dealt with.
''These people are the absolute dregs — they just turn on people. Unfortunately this sort of thing happens throughout the country and there's no provocation, no rhyme or reason. It's just an attack on innocent people.
''The police can only do their jobs fully if they have public support and if anyone has any knowledge about this assault then they should report it.''
07.13pm - 23.01.2012 Dek - Dundee, UK Report This
Feral. That's what they are. And poorly brought up. Because we have a govt. with a soft touch policy on criminal acts, they'll go scot free. The birch is what they need, but how many of those repulsed by this attack would be willing to back such a move? THAT is the problem.
11.21am - 24.01.2012 Downfield Dan - Pehville, Pehland Report This
shocking attack. they want to be ashamed of themselves. On a lighter note......Helmsdale and Harestane is NOT downfield
06.14pm - 24.01.2012 Bill Smith - Calgary, Canada Report This
Used to be West March Primary School, When I went there in the sixties nothing like this happened, and you are right this is not Downfield it is Kirkton
09.36am - 26.01.2012 Thornindaside - perth, scotland Report This
I'm not in favour of the birch but even if it were to become an adopted practise I doubt many would actually be birched as the justice system now appears to be heavily swayed towards avoidence of acknowledgement of behaviour as criminal or punishable.Is that true or just my perceived view on crime?
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