Man in his 70s seriously injured after stranger punched him ‘in random attack’
A man in his 70s has been left with life-changing injuries after a stranger punched him and an off-duty police officer in a ‘random attack’ in central London.
Police have launched an urgent search for the attacker who assaulted two men in Covent Garden on October 12.
He first punched an off-duty police officer before approaching a man aged in 70s pretending to ask for directions before assaulting him.
The victim was pushed to the ground and suffered a bleed on his brain.
He temporarily lost consciousness, and required 15 stitches to the back of the head.
The off-duty police officer was not injured.
The Metropolitan Police described the suspect as white, around 5ft 9in tall, of medium build, and wearing a black jacket.
He was last seen fleeing towards Bedford Street.
Detective Sergeant Glenn Smith said: ‘This was a serious incident which left a man in his 70s with life-altering injuries.
‘The attacks were apparently random. We are appealing for witness accounts, or for any information that may assist the investigation.
‘In addition, we are releasing a CCTV image of a man police wish to speak to in light of the incident.’
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