Sickening attack on disabled teenager

http://www.lep.co.uk/news/Sickening-attack-on-disabled-teenager.4952817.jp

Published Date:
05 February 2009
By Stef Hall, Crime Reporter
Residents have spoken of their shock after a group of men attacked a badly disabled young woman in the street.
The Evening Post received calls from horrified readers after the 19-year-old was assaulted in Garden Street, Lostock Hall, near Preston, at around 6.40pm on Sunday.

Police said the victim was getting out of her car when she was approached by a man and attacked without warning.

Neighbours saw the attacker push the teenager to the ground. A second man then struck her several times on the leg.

The victim was helped up by an unknown person but was then assaulted again on the way back to her car, officers said.

Finally she was helped by two residents who alerted the police.

An Evening Post reader, who did not wish to be named, said: "I was disgusted when I heard what had happened. My daughter had to help the girl to safety.

"The girl was very noticeably disabled, it would have been clear to whoever attacked her. She was even being attacked while she was on the floor.

"My daughter helped her into the house and took a stick off one of them (the attackers).

"I believe she was visiting family at the time. I was told there were three to four lads aged around 18 involved."

Police said the victim, who was taken to hospital, and her family were too distressed to speak.

A police spokesman said: "Violent crime is something we take very seriously. Arrests are anticipated in relation to this assault."