Cyclist left with broken bones after being beaten up and robbed in Newport, Gwent

Police in Newport, Gwent have appealed for witnesses after a cyclist sustained broken bones when he was beaten up on a towpath by half a dozen men and robbed of possessions including his bike.

The attack took place near Malpas Road, Newport, on the evening of Wednesday 2 January between 7.30 and 8.45pm, reports the South Wales Argus.

The victim, 44-year-old Jason Staples, who posted photos of his injuries to Facebook, said: “I was cycling to the Malpas Road shops on my bike when I saw six kids – I say kids, but I’d guess they were between 17 and 21-years-old – just stood around.

“I asked to get past and they ignored me. I asked again, but they ignored me again. When I got frustrated, they started on me.”

He continued: “They kept punching me and I woke up on the floor, with my money, phone and mountain bike gone.

"My fingers are swollen and hurt a lot; I can barely move them. The attitude of some kids nowadays is disgusting.

During the attack, Mr Staples suffered four broken fingers, a broken bone in his hand and bruising to his face.

A spokesperson for Gwent Police said: “A 44-year-old male victim was cycling down the canal path when he was approached by six males.

“The victim was knocked to the ground and assaulted where he had his mobile phone, money and mountain bike taken. The victim received multiple injuries.”

Mr Staples sustained injuries to his face, along with four broken fingers and a broken bone in his right hand.

Anyone who has information is requested to call police on 101 quoting the incident reference 61 of 3/1/2019, or the charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.