Trolley collector attacked

The Tesco supermarket trolley collector suffered a broken jaw and bleeding on the brain after the assault last Friday night outside the Ocean tenpin bowling centre at Ravenside.

The victim was placed in intensive care before being moved to a general ward after his condition improved.

Police said youths had been seen playing with supermarket trolleys at Ravenside.

When one trolley hit a passing car the driver pursued a youth in the vehicle, followed on foot by the victim and three youths into Lewis Avenue.

The victim was seen making his way back past the bowling centre at 9.12. Shocked Ocean centre staff later found him with injuries to his face.

Police arrested four 16 year-olds after a search involving the use of a tracker dog. The youths were later released on bail pending further inquiries.

Inspector Martin Mann, head of the Bexhill Neighbourhood Policing Unit, described the assault as serious

He said: "Police are keen to speak to the driver of a silver-coloured Renault Clio which police believe was hit by a shopping trolley being pushed by some youths moments before the assault.

"This man may be a key witness.

"Police are also appealing for witnesses to this assault or anyone who saw any persons running from the car park area of the retail park around the time of the incident."

He confirmed the victim's injuries were no longer likely to be life threatening.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact police on 0845 6070999 quoting serial 1760 of October 20 or via free and confidential 0800 555 111 Crimestoppers number.