POLICE have released a CCTV image of a man they want to speak to after a woman was attacked by a disabled toilet during Royal Ascot.
A 25-year-old woman had her hair pulled before the man attempted to knee her in the stomach during the incident, which took place when she helped her friend use the facilities at the racecourse.
Thames Valley Police said that as they left the toilet, a man confronted the victim’s friend because he took issue with her using a disabled toilet.
The woman then challenged the man’s attitude, leading to assault. As a result of him grabbing her hair and pulling her head downwards she sustained pain and swelling to her head but did not require hospital treatment.
The offender was restrained by other race goers and security staff and removed from the racecourse.
The incident took place at around 6.30pm on Tuesday, June 14, the first day of Royal Ascot. The event attracts racegoers from all over the country including Wokingham borough.
Unacceptable behaviour
Investigating officer, Det Con Reese Williams from Local CID at Maidenhead police station, said: “I would like to speak to the man pictured in the CCTV image as he may have information which could help with the investigation. If you recognise the man in the image, please contact me as soon as possible. As racegoers at Ascot come from far and wide, this man could potentially be from anywhere in the UK.
“This was a very distressing incident for the victim and her friend. The victim’s friend has a disability which is not overtly noticeable, and the offender took issue with her using the disabled toilet because he did not realise she had a disability.
“His behaviour was completely unacceptable and a thorough investigation is underway to identify the offender.
“If you have any information which could help, or if you witnessed the incident and have not yet spoken to police, please contact me via the 101 number as soon as possible.”
If you do not want to speak directly to the police you can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. No personal details are taken, information is not traced or recorded and you will not go to court.
