79-year-old man assaulted

CCTV image of a man police are very keen to speak to

A 79-year-old man was assaulted as he queued for a bus at Rochdale bus station.

Shortly before 3pm on Friday 16 August 2013, the victim was queuing for the 456 bus with his wife and 7-year-old grandson when there was a dispute with another man.

As the queue moved forward, a man put his arm out to prevent the victim’s wife from stepping forward. As he did this the victim took a step between the offender and his wife. The man then punched the victim in the face before getting on the bus.

The victim, his wife and grandson got onto the bus where there was a further verbal altercation before the offender got off the bus at Lowhill.

Police have released a CCTV image of a man they would like to speak to in connection with the incident.

PC Paul Daffern at Rochdale police station said: “This was an unprovoked attack on a vulnerable elderly man in front of his family. He suffered a black eye and is extremely shaken by what happened.

“There were a lot of people in the queue for the bus that day who would have seen what happened. I would urge those people to come forward and talk to police.

“We have released an image of a man taken from the CCTV on the bus and we are very keen to speak to him. If you recognise him please get in touch.”

Anyone with information should call police on 0161 856 9961 or the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.