Appeal for witnesses after deaf man attacked by gang

A DEAF man was robbed by a gang of five men in an attack at Torre Valley North playing fields in Torquay reports thisissouthdevon.co.uk (24/02/12).

The 29-year-old victim was taking a shortcut when he was surrounded by the gang in dark-coloured clothes.

Because of his hearing problems, he did not know what they were saying as they bundled him into bushes before fleecing his pockets and stealing his wallet and cash.

Now police are appealing to anyone who may have been in the area to help identify the attackers.

Det Sgt Andy Turner said: "We really need the public's help with this.
"The victim is deaf, although he can lip read and can partially hear sounds.He had been taking a shortcut through from Avenue Road to Rathmore Road when the robbery happened between 10.20pm and 10.30pm on Friday, February 17. He was surrounded by five men and was backed into bushes by a tree. We are trying to trace a group of five men aged between 17 and 30 who were all dressed in dark clothing. They ran off in the Avenue Road and Old Mill Road direction. We have been looking at CCTV but we want to hear from anybody who was in the area at that time."

He asked anybody who was in the area to ring police on 08452 777444 or contact CrimeStoppers on 0800 555111 quoting crime reference FT/12/1212.