Victim Cameron stepped in to end violence after pensioner was punched in face
POLICE have issued a plea for help to catch a knife-wielding attacker who thumped an innocent pensioner – then stabbed a Good Samaritan who stepped in to stop the violence.
Detectives are yet to trace the culprit who went on a rampage in broad daylight in Sidmouth town centre and assaulted three people on the afternoon of Friday, March 15, in front of scores of onlookers.
Victims were this week still suffering the consequences of his ‘shocking’ actions.
A 70-year-old man, who was randomly punched in the face in Church Street, is still injured and unable to enjoy his favourite hobby.
Another man was able to avoid the offender’s punches shortly after.
Labourer Cameron Chudley, 21, who was waiting for a bus, tried to intervene and ended up covered in blood with a gaping knife wound on his arm near the Three Cornered Plot.
“I was just sticking up for a random stranger and I got stabbed – it was scary. There was so much blood,” said Cameron, who thought he had been punched at first.
He said he only realised the extent of his injuries when he chased the attacker and then rushed to hospital.
Cameron, of Honiton, needed four stitches in a three-inch deep gash. He has only just recovered enough to be able to work – but is yet to land a job.
Police Constable Angela Galasso, of Exmouth CID, still wants witnesses to come forward.
The offender is described as a white male with brown, longish hair with facial stubble wearing an oversized top and dark jeans.
PC Galasso believes the culprit might have been under the influence of alcohol or drugs – and may not actually be from the Sidmouth area.
She said: “It is a bit concerning that somebody could behave in that way in the middle of Sidmouth on a Friday afternoon.”
PC Galasso described the Sidmouth pensioner’s ordeal as ‘shocking’ and added: “It has had an affect on him – initially the shock and now the fact the injury to his eye hasn’t improved. He loves to read and feels angry.”
Contact PC 6402 Angela Galasso at Exmouth CID with information on 101, crime reference: KS/13/131.
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