BLOOD spattered the pavement and walls of the Wiltshire Times’ offices after a middle-aged man was attacked in Trowbridge on Saturday night while walking up the street with his wife and five-year-old daughter.

Police are now trying to find people who helped him after the attack, as well as hunting for his assailant. 

The victim is from the town’s Polish community, but the force does not believe it was a racially motivated attack and at this stage is not treating it as a hate crime.

Several police cars and a forensic team were called to Duke Street after the 44-year-old man, who was walking up the street with his wife and daughter, was punched and stamped on after he fell to the pavement outside the Wiltshire Times office.

A passer-by took him to Trowbridge Hospital, and she is one of the people police now want to trace, as well as several possible witnesses to the attack, which happened between 9.50pm and 10pm.

The attacker, described as a tall white man, well built and wearing a light coloured top, fled and they also want to hear from anyone who may have seen him running away.

The father was left with injuries to his neck, eye, face and chest and spent the night in the Royal United Hospital, Bath. He was allowed home on Monday.

His 34-year-old wife was also assaulted but was not injured, while their daughter was unharmed but upset by the attack on her parents.
Duke Street was cordoned off by police for several hours after the attack.

DC Justine Parsons said this week: “I would really like to speak to the driver of a vehicle who took the victim to hospital.

“We have not yet been able to identify this person and would really like to speak to them to help with our investigation.

“We have been carrying out extensive inquiries and, as part of this, we have analysed all available CCTV footage from the area. 

“We would like to speak to the people in these pictures in connection with the incident.

“If you know who they are, get in touch as they could have information which could help us find the person responsible.

“This incident happened in a busy area. 

“I am sure someone would have witnessed it. If that was you, then contact police.”

Anyone who witnessed the attack, helped the family afterwards or thinks they may have useful information should call 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111. 

Duke Street was cordoned off by police for several hours after the attack.

A forensic tent was put up and a team of officers wearing specialist suits carried out a fingertip examination of the area.

Wiltshire Times photographer Trevor Porter came upon the scene when driving up Duke Street at about 11pm.

He said: “The victim had gone but there were about three of four police vehicles and the forensic officers.

“Police closed part of the road to traffic and no-one was allowed along the street.”