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Photo appeal following assault in Ferndown
Officers investigating an assault on a woman in Ferndown are issuing photos of the suspect.
The victim, a local woman aged in her 70s, was walking her dog along Church Road near to the Village Hall when the incident occurred at around 1.40pm on Tuesday 4 September 2018.
A man riding a bicycle along the footpath said something to her and she challenged him about cycling on the pavement. He then stopped, got off his bike and shouted at the woman before he pushed her to the chest.
The man then grabbed her by the throat and started pushing her backwards.
Members of the public came to the aid of the victim, with one woman following the offender as he left the scene and went to KFC in Ringwood Road. She was able to take pictures of him.
The man spoke in a Scottish accent and appeared to have his right arm in a sling and plaster cast.
Police Constable Austin Kinnane, of East Dorset police, said: "This was a nasty assault on an elderly woman who was simply taking her dog for a walk.
"While it is fortunate she only sustained minor bruising in terms of physical injuries, the psychological impact is understandably far more significant.
"We are carrying out a number of enquiries to identify this man and I am issuing these photos of the suspect in the hope that somebody recognises him.
"I would also like to appeal directly to the man involved to do the right thing and come forward."
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