Gosport councillor condemns 'abhorent' gang attack on rough sleeper

On Saturday, April 10 at 11.20pm, a homeless man was in his sleeping bag near the Gosport Ferry Terminal when a group of men attacked him and trashed his belongings.

The rough sleeper was lying in front of this wall, which can be found round the back of the bus station, facing towards the promenade.

One eyewitness said the man was ‘kicked about in his sleeping bag’ and his bike had been destroyed.

He added: ‘We took the guy over to the kebab shop and got him a chicken doner as he was hungry but it won’t repair his belongings sadly. Shame on those responsible. No words to describe them.’

At the scene yesterday, no blood or footprints could be found.

Conservative councillor for Lee East, Cllr Graham Burgess, said there should be sufficient evidence to catch those behind the attack.

He said: ‘I wasn’t aware of anybody sleeping rough by the ferry – my officers go out every day to look for anyone who is homeless.

‘That being said I do condemn any sort of attack on a rough sleeper, it’s simply abhorrent.

‘I wonder if the CCTV by the Ferry Gardens will shed some light on it. The bottom line is that this is a crime and it needs to be dealt with.’

Hampshire Constabulary confirmed on Sunday that a man in his 30s was assaulted, and an investigation was under way.

The News has contacted the police force for an update on this case.

Anyone with information can call the police on 101.

A message from the Editor, Mark Waldron

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