A DEFENCELESS pensioner in his 70s needed an operation to repair a broken leg and hip after becoming the target of a vicious attack in Parade Street, St Helens.

The attack happened in broad daylight at 11.20am as the elderly man was walking along the street. Witnesses saw a younger, heavily built man walk up behind him and knock against the pensioner as he walked past. The older man then said something to him, upon which the man walked back to the pensioner and pushed him against a wall and then to the floor before walking away again, leaving his victim with a broken leg and hip and other cuts and bruises.

Witnesses described the attacker as white, between 35 and 40 years of age, with short, collar-length hair and an unshaven complexion. He was heavy set with a chubby face and between 5ft 6-8ins tall. He spoke with a local accent and was casually dressed in a blue shirt and blue trousers which may have been jeans.

If you have any information, contact DC John Crehan at St Helens CID on 0151 777 6064 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 if you wish to remain anonymous.

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