Police in Hampshire are appealing to witnesses after an elderly man was assaulted and left unconscious on the pavement.

At about 9.15pm Saturday, January 19, the elderly man was walking from Laburnum Grove onto London Road, Portsmouth, in front of a group of three men.

As the victim neared Barclays Bank and the Sir John Baker pub, one of the three men threw a bottle at him.

The victim turned and exchanged words with the group.

The man who threw the bottle is alleged to have kicked the victim in the stomach, causing him to fall, banging his head on a wall.

The three men are thought to have left the man on the ground before leaving the area in a small silver car, believed to be a Renault Clio.

The man with the bottle is described as dark-haired and in his early twenties. He wore jeans and a light-coloured jacket.

The injured man was unconscious with swelling and bruising to the side of his head. He was treated at Queen Alexandra Hospital and released.

PC Daniel Neligan appealed for witnesses. “This incident occurred in a busy area of Portsmouth at a time when many people were likely to be heading to and from various pubs and food establishments.

“I especially want to hear from anyone who was in the London Road area, near Barclays Bank or the Sir John Baker pub, at about 9.10 on the night of the attack.

“If you were there, did you see the assault? Did you see a silver Renault leave the area via Laburnum Grove?

“I also want to appeal directly to the men involved in the incident to come forward to the police and tell their side of the story. This includes the two men who were with the man responsible for the assault.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact PC Neligan at Fratton on 101.