Amputee Former Soldier Attacked Close To Home

AN EX-NAVY serviceman and double-leg amputee had his face slashed during a robbery yards from his home, making him ‘feel disabled for the first time’ in the seven years he has been in a wheelchair.

Father-of-five Mark Hancock was just 20 metres from his home in Sunningdale Road, Worle, on Friday morning when two men attacked him and cut his face before stealing his mobile phone and case, which contained £70.

A police investigation has been launched after the robbers ran in the direction of St Mark’s Primary School and into Ebdon Road, later discarding the phone.

The 45-year-old, who was a submariner for six years and received a medal commending his service from the Ministry Of Defence the day he was attacked, said he cannot comprehend the attackers’ ‘cowardly’ behaviour and hopes someone will come forward with information.

He said: “It is the first time in all the years I have been in a wheelchair that I felt disabled and that is a horrible feeling.

“I left the house to see one of my friends and turned into the lane, which I have done a hundred times before, then I heard someone running behind me.

“Next thing I knew an arm came over my right-hand side and I felt something across my face. I did not realise he was cutting me at the time.

“As I turned, another person started punching me to the left-hand side of my head and grabbed my phone which had money in the phone case.

“When they had gone I realised I was bleeding and the wife of my friend I was going to see started to walk down the lane. She saw me with blood everywhere and knocked on my neighbours’ door, who are ex-police force and they came out and tried to stop the bleeding.”

Mr Hancock lost both his legs after dealing with chronic regional pain syndrome, which left both his legs ulcerated and him in constant pain.

He has three grandchildren, and having left the Royal Navy in 1990, now volunteers for the British Limbless Ex-Servicemen Association, and helps deliver wheelchairs to other ex-servicemen.

He said: “I was supposed to deliver three wheelchairs this week but because of their (the attackers) actions these people have not had their deliveries. It really sickens me, as these are all ex-forces people, and people who are limbless.

“I’ll do anything for anybody; it’s just the way I work. I have received a lot of help in my life so I like to give a little bit back.

“I had never been frightened of anything so this is something I now have to deal with. The cuts and bruises are just cuts and bruises, but I have never felt like this before so it’s very difficult to comprehend it. Hopefully I will be able to just pick myself up.

“I have lived in this house for 14 years and it is the loveliest place to live and it’s a shame this has happened.

“They are just cowards. To do it the way they did was just dirty.”

Mark cannot remember much from the incident but recalls one man was wearing gloves and a dark top.

And said supportive messages he has received from friends and family have brought him some comfort.

Police are investigating the incident which happened at around 10.40am. Anyone who has any information should call Detective Constable Sarah Rizvi on 101.

Detective Sergeant Glyn Edwards said: “This is a particularly heinous crime.

“We are committed to tracking down the people responsible for this and I would urge anyone who knows who was involved, or who saw anyone acting suspiciously, to call us as soon as possible.”