Leeds CCTV footage shows thug brutally punching innocent man repeatedly and stealing his watch and phone

CCTV footage of a violent street robbery in Leeds city centre has been released in the hope of tracking down the thug who carried out the attack.

The victim, a 53-year-old man, gave his consent for the footage to be released in the hope it would lead to the name of the attacker. He was waiting for a taxi on Merrion Street at around 4.30am on Sunday, June 30, when the suspect began loitering next to him.

The suspect drove away before returning and stealing the man’s phone and punching him to the ground. He repeatedly punched the victim in the face while removing his watch from his wrist before picking it up and leaving the scene with the phone and the man’s leather jacket.

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West Yorkshire Police believe the same suspect may be linked to other similar street robberies in the city centre in recent days. A 39-year-old man suffered facial injuries, including knocked-out teeth, when he was punched to the ground from behind in Fish Street at around 4.47am yesterday. His wallet, phone and keys were taken.

A 19-year-old man was left unconscious and suffering fractures to his eye socket and cheekbones, as well as a dislocated jaw that may require surgery, when he was attacked by one of two suspects in St Alban’s Place. His phone and wallet were stolen in the incident which took place between 1.30am and 1.45am on Sunday, July 7.

Between 2am and 3am on the same day, a 47-year-old man was attacked and robbed on Regent Street by two men described as aged between 18 and 20 and possibly Kurdish or Romanian.

Detective Inspector Vicky Vessey, who heads the Leeds District Crime Team, said: “We are currently keeping an open mind as to whether all of these incidents are linked, but they follow a similar pattern in terms of circumstances where lone male victims have been targeted during nights out.

“The CCTV footage of the incident on Merrion Street is truly horrific and shows all too clearly the disgusting level of violence used by the attacker.

“We hope this helps focus people’s attention and we encourage anyone who recognises the suspect or has any information that could assist the investigation to contact us immediately.

“We continue to carry out extensive investigations to identify the offender as quickly as possible as it is very clear there could be more serious consequences.”

Anyone with information should contact Leeds District Crime Team on 101, quoting crime reference 13240353867 or online. Information can be given anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

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