Police appeal for witnesses after electric scooter rider assaulted with garden pruners in Winchester

An appeal for witnesses has been launched after the attack on an electric scooter driver in Winchester.

The biker, a 34-year-old man, was allegedly attacked by a man on Stockbridge Road who was cutting a hedge.

Hampshire Police said the driver saw a man at the side of the road cutting a hedge, so he slowed down and pedaled the scooter past it.

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However, the man then called out to the victim about his use of an e-scooter, pushing him in the chest repeatedly with a pair of gardening pruners while yelling at him.

Police confirmed that the victim began filming the man, at which point he walked away.

The motorcyclist reportedly suffered a small superficial injury to the chest and would have had to be hospitalized as a result.

Hampshire Police are keen to hear from anyone who may know the man pictured.

The man the force wishes to speak to is described as white, around 50-60 years old, of medium build, and with short white hair.

Sgt Guy Drury, who is leading the investigation, said: “We recognize that the use of private electric scooters is not permitted on public land, and we have spoken to the victim about this.

“But it is not acceptable for anyone to be treated in this way, so we are asking the public to help us identify this man.

“We take all reports of assault seriously and will do everything we can to support victims.

“I appreciate that the photo does not show the man’s face, but we hope that by posting it, it will encourage the man to get in touch with us.”

If you have information, you can call 101, quoting 44220010060, or go online and submit information.

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