A pensioner says he was punched, manhandled and thrown into oncoming traffic in a random street attack

Chris Elliott, 69, claims he was subjected to an unprovoked assault while walking along The Quay in Sandwich.

He was reportedly attacked while out near The Bell Hotel last month - and is still hoping witnesses will come forward and help identify the perpetrator.

Mr Elliott says that despite his attacker reportedly being identified, a number of witnesses to the incident are yet to come forward to police.

He told KentOnline officers have secured some CCTV footage of the incident and have spoken to his alleged attacker.

"However, the CCTV camera along the Quay was in sweeping mode and only caught 10 seconds of the incident," Mr Elliott said.

"That helps a little but offers nothing as to the whole incident."

Mr Elliott is hopeful that two drivers who witnessed the attack but have yet to come forward will do so after being reminded of the incident.

One was described as a "silver-haired lady driving a small, metallic blue car" who was forced to stop, and a "dark-haired gentleman driving a black estate car who had an older passenger with him".

The male driver is understood to have looped back to tell the victim he had seen the assault, which took place at around 3pm on Friday, December 9.

"These days people don't want to get involved. At the time the car driver who turned around and made himself know was quite upset at what he saw," Mr Elliott said.

"After six weeks or so maybe he might not want the hassle. But we have to try because we can no longer rely on the protections we once did."

A police spokesman said: "We are investigating an allegation of assault that is reported to have occurred on Friday, December 9, 2022.

"The victim reported that he was assaulted by a man in The Quay, Sandwich just before 3pm.

"Officers are carrying out enquiries, including reviewing any CCTV footage to establish the circumstances of the incident."

Anyone with information that could assist with the investigation is asked to contact Kent Police on 017843 222289 quoting reference 46/236492/22.