Do you know this man? Sought over use of stolen bank card in Hastings after serious assault

Police in Hastings want to trace and interview this man, in connection with a theft and a serious assault on a local man.

The man in this CCTV image was seen near Lidl in Hastings town centre on the morning of Sunday 11 February, just after the victim’s bank card had been used to buy a packet of cheese strings in the store.

The attack happened at the 68-year-old victim’s home in the West Hill area of Hastings in the early hours of Saturday, February 10. He had spent much of the evening in French’s night club and Club XS in the town before heading off home.

Between 4.30 and 5.30am he was subjected to a vicious assault resulting in severe facial injuries. He had a deep laceration to his cheek, a fractured eye socket and cheek bones, cuts and bruising to his head and nose and a bleed on the brain. He was admitted to the Conquest Hospital in Hastings and later transferred to the Queen Victoria Hospital at East Grinstead. He has since returned home.

Investigator Leah Yoshida said; “The man in the picture is not suspected of being involved in the assault, but we want to interview him about the use of the card.

“If you know who he is or have any other information, please contact us online or call us on 101 quoting Operation Marcross.”

You can also contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

On 24 February James Starnes, 20, a factory worker, of Lewis Road, St Leonards, appeared at Brighton Magistrates Court charged with causing grievous bodily harm to the man at the address on 10 February. Starnes was remanded in custody to appear at Lewes Crown Court on 23 March.

Rye’s Own Bulletin Monday 12 March 2018