Police have identified a suspect after a Bedminster man was allegedly kicked off his electric scooter and sent “flying head-first into a post”.
Co-op manager Ray Barford, 24, was travelling to work along the pavement of East Street at about 6am on March 21.
Riding scooters on the pavement is prohibited under the 1835 Highways Act, but Mr Barford says he was doing no harm on his commute.
He said he was left concussed and “covered in blood” after a man waiting at a bus stop kicked him as he rode past.
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An Avon and Somerset Constabulary spokesperson said the force has identified a named suspect.
No arrest has been made, but the investigation is ongoing, the spokesperson added.
What Mr Barford says happened
Mr Barford said: “I was going past the bus stop outside Asda , faster than running but slower than cycling.
“I saw a man who seemed to be waiting for a bus. A couple of weeks before, at the same spot, this man had shouted abuse at me, saying I was going too fast.
“This time, he kicked me on my thigh and sent me flying head-first into a post.”
Mr Barford says he was left with a “massive bump” on his head, while his hand, nose and mouth were bloodied and bruised.
“I just couldn’t believe he had done it,” Mr Barford said.
“I was in shock and disbelief.
“After it happened the man just stood there looking a bit shocked. Then he shouted, ‘you deserved that, you are dangerous, you shouldn’t be going that fast’.
“I had blood running down my face. I asked him what was wrong with him.”
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'Horrified'
Mr Barford says he should have immediately called police, but was not thinking clearly because of the concussion.
“I managed to make it the rest of the way to work on my scooter, which wasn’t damaged,” he added.
“I had to get someone to take over my shift at the Co-op within minutes. The first person I saw was the bread delivery man. He insisted on staying with me until a colleague came in.”
Mr Barford went to Bristol Royal Infirmary and stayed at the hospital for four hours, receiving pain relief and having brain examinations.
He was told he is suffering from concussion but no bones were broken.
“My friends and family were horrified,” he said. “They said I must be the unluckiest man in Bedminster.”
He added: “I have never hit anyone with my scooter before and I’ve always been very careful.
“I have never thought about wearing a helmet before. I didn’t realise how much of a head injury you could get.”
Mr Barford described the alleged assailant as being in his early 40s, with short black hair and a stocky build.
He said the man was around 5ft 6ins and wore a dark red hoodie over a smart white shirt, black trousers and black shoes, with round tortoiseshell glasses.
Anyone who witnessed the incident is asked to call Avon and Somerset Constabulary on 101 and provide the call handler with the reference 5219060740.
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