London Marathon runner badly injured in vicious assault on training run

A RUNNER out training for the London Marathon was left with serious injuries after being attacked in a quiet street in Highcliffe.

The victim, who is aged 50, was set upon between 4.45pm and 5pm on Saturday, having reportedly become involved in an incident with two youths on bicycles as he jogged in Hinton Wood Avenue.

He was said to have been followed by the youngsters on their bikes when he ran towards Lymington Road and into Wharncliffe Road, before heading along Beacon Drive and into Ranelagh Road.

There he was allegedly confronted by a man and a woman who arrived on the scene in a white vehicle. The victim reported he was then attacked by the pair along with one of the youths.

He made his way home and after contacting the police went to the Royal Bournemouth Hospital where he was treated for broken ribs and head injuries.

Police later arrested a 36-year-old local woman and a 33-year-old local man on suspicion of assault occasioning actual bodily harm. Both were later released under investigation as officers continue their enquiries.

The victim told the A&T of his shock over the incident, but despite his injuries he was still hoping to compete in next month’s London Marathon.

“I’m hoping I can still do it but maybe in not quite such a good time as I would have liked,” he said.

He added that he greatly appreciated all the messages of goodwill from friends and other local runners and urged anyone who witnessed the incident to come forward.

PC Paul Mellor said: “Our investigation into this incident is ongoing and I am appealing to anyone who witnessed this altercation, or who has any information that can assist our enquiries, to contact us.”

Anyone with information should contact Dorset Police on 101, quoting crime reference number 55190032485, or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.