Man, 71, punched unconscious by stranger in town centre attack
A teenager has been roobed of his bike in Norwich. Picture: Ian Burt - Credit: IAN BURT
A man attacked in the street in Diss town centre was knocked unconscious after being punched in the head by a stranger.
Geoff Calver, 71, had been walking into the town centre along Chapel Street when a man barged into him and punched him to the ground.
Police are appealing for witnesses following the assault which occurred at 10.11am on Friday, September 20.
Mr Calver, a retired long-distance lorry driver, who lives close to the town centre, said: "I was just walking up the town to get some bread rolls when this guy came across the footpath and barged into my shoulder and as I turned around he punched me in the side of the head.
"That laid me out on the road. He must have knocked me out. A postman came out and gave me a hand to get up and a couple stopped in a car. I was pretty shaken up."
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The attacker is described as white, aged between mid-40s and 50, 5ft 8in, stocky, with silver/grey hair, wearing a grey jumper and blue overall trousers.
Mr Calver, who has lived in Diss all his life and has a son and daughter, said: "I had never seen him before and he never said a word. I was just walking along minding my own business.
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"I had a headache for two or three days afterwards but I was lucky. I have always said to my son never hit anyone in the head because one punch can kill."
Despite the attack, Mr Calver pursued his attacker to Tesco on Victoria Road.
"When I got up I thought he is not going to get away with it. I want to find out who he is," he said. "I was about 200 yards behind him but I couldn't catch him and I lost him in the Tesco car park.
"The police looked on the CCTV and they saw him go across the car park but where he then went to we don't know. I stood at the entrance because I thought he might come out in a car but to no avail."
Anyone with information, or any witnesses to the assault should contact PC Steven Long at Diss police station on 101, quoting crime number 36/66241/19. Alternatively contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.
