Man wades through canal to escape racist attackers

A man was so terrified of a group of racist thugs that he jumped into Rochdale canal and waded to the other side to escape them.

Four white men attacked a 69-year old black man on the canal towpath near Dicken Green Lane and Stavordale flats on Saturday (16 May), between 1pm and 1.30pm.

One of the thugs demanded cash and racially abused him before another punched him in the face.

Fearing for his life the man leapt into the canal to escape his attackers. He was left with facial injuries, but his attackers were left empty-handed.

The main offender is described as being a white man aged around 23 or 24, about 5ft 8ins tall and well-built, and was wearing pale blue jeans, a blue zip-up anorak with a grey or blue hooded top.

One of his accomplices is described as being a white man aged 18, about 5ft 6ins tall, and of thin build and was carrying a blue plastic bag containing cider. He was wearing a white T-shirt with a horizontal red stripe across the chest. Another looked quite similar to him, while the other member of the group was taller than the others and was smoking a cigarette.

A second attack took place at around 1.30pm on the same day when a 29-year-old man was punched to the ground and kicked as he lay defenceless.

The man was walking along the towpath in Well I’th’Lane and was approached by two men wearing hoods. They demanded cash from him and attacked him when he refused.

The two robbers made off with a small amount of cash.

They are described as being two white men in their early 20s and were wearing dark clothing.

Detective Constable Julian Peach, of Rochdale CID, said: “Both of these offences are appalling, but it beggars belief that a group of racists would scare a pensioner so much that he did a dangerous thing by jumping in a canal.

”I’m appealing for anyone who may have witnessed either of these robberies, or who knows who is responsible, to get in touch.”

Anyone with any information should call the Rochdale Robbery Unit on 0161 856 4669 or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.