Shocking moment two pensioners in their 70s are punched and kicked by gang of teenage thugs at firework event in ‘unprovoked’ attack that saw the pair rushed to hospital

This is the sickening moment two pensioners were savagely attacked by a gang of teenage thugs at a family fireworks event. 

Community stalwarts Adrian Wareham and Terry Cheater, both 73, needed hospital treatment after four youths punched and kicked them to the ground in an unprovoked assault.

The two volunteers were clearing up after the Flameburst fireworks display in Verwood, Dorset, on Saturday evening, when they were pounced on by the group, who were trying to barge their way on to the privately-owned land. 

Yobs hit Mr Wareham in the eye as he tried to close the gate on them before punching him to the ground and kicking him, leaving him with blood dripping down his face, while Mr Cheater – who uses a pacemaker for a heart condition –  was sent flying back into the metal gate after being smacked in the head by two of the gang.  

The group’s ‘vicious’ onslaught, captured in shocking CCTV footage, only stopped after they were chased away by Good Samaritans, who were running the nearby fairground event and witnessed the attack.

Adrian Wareham was left bloodied and bruised by the savage attack on Saturday 

Thugs are pictured attacking Mr Cheater (circled) as he raises a hand to try and protect himself 

The two volunteers were clearing up after the Flameburst fireworks display in Verwood, Dorset, on Saturday evening, when they were pounced on by the group (pictured)

Mr Wareham suffered a black eye and Mr Cheater was bleeding from his ear. They were both checked out at hospital but decided not to stay overnight despite fears they could be concussed.

Speaking of the ordeal, Mr Wareham said: ‘It was two hours after the event finished and we were clearing up when these lads turned up at the gate and laid into us. It came from nowhere and was really vicious.

‘I told them it was all closed and one of them punched me in the eye. They then punched my mate and knocked him on the ground. I went out to help him up and they started punching me and got me on the floor too.

‘Fortunately the fairground boys were just packing up and leaving and they got out their trucks and chased them off.

‘There were four of them and they were just up for a fight, looking for trouble.

‘It was all over in about 10 seconds but I think we would have been in a very poor state if it wasn’t for the fairground lads as they had started kicking us on the ground.’

The pair have organised the display for 30 years and Mr Wareham was even made an honorary town freeman in the summer for his services to the community. 

‘We are all volunteers and do it for nothing so this did really get to us,’ Mr Wareham added.

Dorset Police is investigating the incident and has since appealed for witnesses to come forward (pictured is a CCTV shot of the attack)

Mr Wareham, who was made an honorary town freeman in the summer for his services to the community, is now urging people to come forward and help police with their investigation 

‘We were taken to hospital and they wanted to keep us in overnight, I think they were worried about concussion and Terry has got a pacemaker and was hit quite hard in the ear and had blood coming out.

‘But we’d had a really long day and just wanted to get home to our own beds.

‘We can’t let thugs like these get away with it.’

Police are now investigating the attack which was caught on CCTV.

A spokesperson for Dorset Police said: ‘We received a report at 11.14pm on Saturday of an assault in Crane Drive in Verwood.

‘Two men sustained injuries that are not believed to be serious and attended hospital for treatment. Officers attended and carried out enquiries at the scene.

‘An investigation is ongoing and no arrests have been made.’

Mr Wareham added the pair had received an outpouring of support from the local community, telling MailOnline: ‘Everyone has been so lovely – I even had a call from the Assistant Chief Constable.’ 

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