AN ELDERLY man and his wife had a lager can filled with urine thrown over them by thugs on a bus. The 69-year-old man and his 66-year-old wife were returning to Thanet from Canterbury when the attack happened.

Police say the man approached three youths who were sitting at the back of the upper deck and shouting loud and offensive comments at each other.

He was assaulted after he asked them to quieten down and be considerate for other passengers. A can was also thrown at his head, cutting and bruising his face.

The youths were ordered off the bus by the driver at St Nicholas and they ran off towards Manor Road. WDC Pip Harvey said: “This was a savage attack on an elderly and defenceless man who was recuperating from recent surgery. The couple were distressed and shaken by an unprovoked and despicable assault.”

Police want to hear from other bus passengers and from anyone who saw the youths in St Nicholas. The attack happened on Wednesday, March 27, at 4.30pm on the Canterbury Road as the bus approached the village.

The main offender is in his late teens, medium build, with deep set eyes and dark hair. He wore a baseball cap, black trousers and a distinctive yellow, black and white pair of Nike trainers.

Anyone with information is asked to contact WDC Harvey on 01843 222146.