Help find my road rage attacker

A DISABLED pensioner kicked in the head in a road rage assault has slammed the police for not doing a better job of finding his attacker.

Dennis Pullen, 75, who was attacked outside the Co-op store in High Street, Sturry on August 27, is furious that police took THREE months to release an appeal for witnesses – only to issue a CCTV photo that he insists is of the WRONG man.

Grandfather-of-16 Mr Pullen, a retired painter and decorator with from arthritis of the spine and progressive lung disease, told the Canterbury Times: "I am very annoyed with the police.

"The guy in the paper is not the same guy. They've made a mistake. When they first got the photo why didn't they come and let me see it?

"It's not so much I want to see this guy to go to court, I would just want to see him named and shamed."

"I want it all to be over with so I can get it out of my mind."

The attack happened after a blue Ford Fiesta car pulled out of Fordwich Road in front of Mr Pullen's car as he was driving in Sturry.

The Ford stopped outside the newsagents and Mr Pullen, of The Avenue, Hersden near Canterbury, pulled up behind him.

They argued after Mr Pullen questioned his driving.

The driver went into the Co-op but the argument continued when he came out and he warned Mr Pullen that his dad was a police officer.

When Mr Pullen asked his name, the man kicked him in the head and stomach.

He said: "He just missed my stoma (an artificial drain from the stomach), which I have because I had bladder cancer.

"If he had kicked that I could've bled to death.

"I was so shocked, there had been no swearing and I hadn't threatened him. There's no way I could've got my hands on him or anything, I can hardly walk."

As Mr Pullen was doubled over in pain, his attacker drove off in the direction of Herne Bay.

Mr Pullen, who lives with his wife of 53 years Josephine, reported the assault to the police and told them he was happy to speak to the press.

However, he was later told there was trouble processing the photo and they were not sure if it was the right man. Mr Pullen says he was left in tears when his offer to verify the photo was rejected.

Kent police spokesman Lesley Miller said officers stood by the description of the man given at the time and insist that the CCTV picture matched the description and times given.

She did admit there had been a delay due to "exceptional circumstances" in their office and they had apologised for that.

"However I don't think the delay will make a difference," she said.

"Either someone will recognise the man or they will not and that will not change.

"It is standard practice not to show CCTV footage to victims because it often comes down to identification in a line-up and we could prejudice that if the victim has seen an image beforehand."

The attacker is described as aged between 20 and 22, about 5ft 9ins tall and weighing about nine stones. He had short fair hair, a gold stud in his left ear and was wearing a white short-sleeved shirt, dark trousers and shoes. If you have any information, call police on 01227 762055 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.