Homeless man kicked and pushed to ground after man ‘pretended to help him’

‘He went over and held out his hand to help him up…then kicked him in the back’

A homeless man was kicked and pushed to the ground by a group of men after they “pretended to help” him.

Video footage filmed by one of the attackers shows the 43-year-old victim being shoved in the back and sent flying to the ground in Coventry.

An eyewitness claimed the victim had fallen over drunk and lost one of his shoes before a man “went over and held out his hand to help him up…then kicked him in the back”.

The homeless man was later taken to hospital and had to have stitches in his lips, according to another witness.

Many people from the area, who commented on the video after it was posted on Facebook following the Wednesday morning incident, said the victim was someone who minded his own business.

West Midlands Police said: “Police are investigating an assault on Riley Square in the Wood End area of Coventry. A 43-year-old man was approached by a group of up to five men who kicked and pushed him over.

“Fortunately the man wasn’t seriously hurt and was taken to hospital to be checked over.”

Enquiries continue and anyone with information is asked to contact police via Live Chat at www.west-midlands.pnn.police.uk between 8am and midnight or call 101 anytime. Please quote crime reference 20CV/198901U/19.

Crimestoppers can also be contacted anonymously on 0800 555 111.