Police appeal for witnesses after an elderly man was assaulted in Hamworthy Park in Poole

Dorset police have issued an appeal after an elderly man was assaulted in Hamworthy Park in Poole.

The victim, who is in his 80s, was walking his border collie off the lead when the offender approached him and eventually pushed the victim which resulted in him falling to the floor. Injuries sustained by the victim included grazes to his face and elbows.

Following this the offender threw the victim’s dog over a “fence or bridge” which was located nearby the initial incident. The offender had claimed that the border collie had been attacking his own dog.

The offender is described as being around 20-30-years old, of medium build and dark mid-length hair. He was described as wearing dark clothing and his own dog as being a brown and white spaniel, which was missing part of its tail.

The incident occurred at around 2.45pm on December 19 last year.

Police Constable Phil Pearson, of Poole police, said: “We have only recently been able to speak to the victim due to illness and while this incident happened a number of weeks ago I hope that someone may recognise the offender from the description given of him or his dog.

“I would ask anyone with information about the offender, or anyone who witnessed the incident and is yet to speak to officers, to please contact Dorset Police.”

Lesley Schofield, a local resident who was in the area around the time of the assault said: “It’s very sad that this can happen in this sort of area.”

The number of crime incidents in the Hamworthy area was down by 20 in November last year compared to 2018.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Dorset Police at www.dorset.police.uk, via email 101@dorset.pnn.police.uk or by calling 101, quoting occurrence number 55180203243.