Watch moment yob pushed blind man into railway track in Essex

 
Attack: Daniel Webster pushed the blind man into the track (Picture: British Transport Police)
Rachel Blundy24 October 2014
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This is the shocking moment a yob pushed a blind man into a railway track while he waited for a train in Essex.

Daniel Webster, 23, then punched his 31-year-old victim, who is also profoundly deaf, in the face as he tried to get back on the platform at Chelmsford station.

Moments earlier, the man's 28-year-old brother tried to help him as he was attacked on the platform by Webster and his accomplice Niall Martin but was also thrown on to the railway by Webster.

Police said the brothers "could have been killed" during their "terrifying ordeal" but they escaped with cuts and bruises. The blind man also sustained a fracture to his foot which he is still recovering from.

Webster and Martin were this week jailed for the February 20 attack at Colchester Crown Court.

Webster, of Colchester Road, Coggleshall, admitted grievous bodily harm and was sentenced to 22months in prison.

Martin 24, of Speedwell Road, Colchester, was handed a nine month sentence for causing actual bodily harm.

Detective Constable Alan Reed, who led the investigation, said: “This is one of the most appalling incidents I have investigated.

"Webster and Martin showed a savage disregard for their victims, and one of the brothers is still suffering from the injuries sustained to his foot.

"It is no exaggeration to say the brothers could have been killed after being thrown onto the tracks."

He continued: "I would like to pay tribute to the victims, who have shown great dignity following what was a terrifying ordeal for them.

"I hope today’s sentence will provide them with some sense of closure, although in truth, the impact this has had on both of them is likely to remain with them for the rest of their lives."

National deafblind charity Sense condemned the attack.

Richard Kramer, deputy chief executive, said: "This was a shocking incident and we are appalled that a person with both sight and hearing loss was attacked in this way. It is right and proper that the two men have now been brought to justice."

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