Good Samaritan beaten for trying to help young woman

Jul 1 2009 by Julie Watt, Dumfries Standard Wednesday

A GOOD Samaritan was brutally attacked after rushing to help a woman he thought was in trouble.

The 20-year-old man was walking home from a night out in Dumfries town centre when he noticed the young woman.

She was standing talking to another man on Gilbrae at around 4.30am but she appeared upset.

A police spokesman said: “The victim was walking home when he noticed a man and a woman talking. However when he looked closer the woman was clearly upset and distressed so he went over to ask her if she was okay.”

But in a shock twist he was suddenly set upon by the man standing next to the girl.

He was punched and kicked, resulting in a swollen lip and bloody nose, but luckily did not require medical assistance.

A police spokesman added: “This was a completely unprovoked attack on a good Samaritan who thought he was helping a young woman who looked upset.”

Police were alerted to the attack after members of the public who were woken up by the disturbance phoned the police.

“The victim luckily did not need medical attention but it is a shame this happened to him as he was only trying to protect the female.”

Police are now hunting the male who is believed to be in his early 20s and was wearing a yellow top. Police are also keen to speak to the female who witnessed the assault.

She is described as being in her early 20s, with blonde shoulder length hair and was wearing a black dress.

Anyone with information should call police on 0845 600 5801 or anonymously with Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.