Man in his 70s seriously injured after stranger punched him ‘in random attack’

A man in his 70s has been left with life-changing injuries after a stranger punched him and an off-duty police officer in a ‘random attack’ in central London.

Police have launched an urgent search for the attacker who assaulted two men in Covent Garden on October 12.

He first punched an off-duty police officer before approaching a man aged in 70s pretending to ask for directions before assaulting him.

The victim was pushed to the ground and suffered a bleed on his brain.

He temporarily lost consciousness, and required 15 stitches to the back of the head.

The off-duty police officer was not injured.

The Metropolitan Police described the suspect as white, around 5ft 9in tall, of medium build, and wearing a black jacket.

He was last seen fleeing towards Bedford Street.

Detective Sergeant Glenn Smith said: ‘This was a serious incident which left a man in his 70s with life-altering injuries.

‘The attacks were apparently random. We are appealing for witness accounts, or for any information that may assist the investigation.

‘In addition, we are releasing a CCTV image of a man police wish to speak to in light of the incident.’

Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at [email protected].

For more stories like this, check our news page.

MORE: Treasured London music venue saved from closure after community campaign

MORE: Gunman still on the run nearly a day after shooting near London nursery

MORE: Man runs out of barber’s mid-haircut to help police officer attacked in street