Sidmouth police seek witnesses to dog walker attack

POLICE are seeking witnesses to an unprovoked attack on an elderly Sidmouth woman as she walked her dog in Gilchrist Field, Sidmouth, on Tuesday afternoon.

A man, described as being in his late 30s or 40, is said to have pushed the woman - in her 80s - over, causing her slight bruising, then continued walking through Margaret's Meadow with his own black and white shorthaired border collie, leaving by the gate adjacent to the cycle path.

PC Michael Baker said: "We are looking for any cyclists, walkers or dog walkers who were in the area between 4pm and 5pm and who might have seen the offender, to call us on (08452) 777 444 (Ref: Ks/09/420).

"It is not so much the injuries she received but the fact of what he has done and if he pushes someone else.

He said the man was white, of medium build with mid-brown hair and wearing a brown cloth jacket and grey trousers.

"No word was spoken and he just walked away, leaving her on the ground. When she shouted after him he didn't reply.

"Maybe someone who walks their dog there sees this person everyday. We don't want to stop people from walking their dogs, but it might be they have talked to him."

He believes the man could be a regular user of The Byes and Margaret's Meadow.