Man With Guide Dog Beaten In Salford

A partially sighted man with his guide dog has been beaten and robbed in Salford.

At around 9pm on Monday 12 December 2011, the 62-year-old man was walking home after visiting his local bookmakers on Tootal Road.

As he walked along Don Avenue, heading towards the junction of Bradfield Avenue, he was approached by two people.

They demanded his wallet and when he said he did not have one, they punched and kicked him to the floor.

They continued to attack him until one of them searched his pockets.  Money, alongside his winnings from the bookmakers, was taken and both ran off.

The victim suffered facial injuries and was left dazed.

Detective Sergeant Roger Smethurst from the Volume Crime Team said: "The victim did not show any resistance and there is no justification for the level of violence shown.  This is a partially sighted man who was walking with his guide dog when he was set upon by these two thugs who, it seems, go to any length to line their own pockets.

The local community are disgusted by this crime and we are determined find out who is responsible and bring them to justice.

Someone must know who committed the crime and I would urge them to contact police as soon as possible.  I would also appeal to the robbers themselves to come forward.  Surely they must feel some kind of remorse over what they have done to a vulnerable member of the community.  Even hardened criminals will be ashamed by this and we would ask them to help us find who committed this heinous act."

The victim, who wishes to remain anonymous, said: "I am shocked by what happened to me and although I will recover from my injuries, the ordeal has left me feeling vulnerable.  However, I am determined these robbers will not stop me from going out and going about my daily business."