BREXTARD ALERT.

A CARGO bike-rider who was sent sprawling by a thug who punched and pushed him has appealed for help to find the culprit.

Rudolf Bozart, 28, who works for Colchester-based delivery company SendSimply, was delivering parcels and food to vulnerable people in the area at around 3.20pm on Sunday.

As he used a cycle lane to pass a couple walking with a pushchair, he was attacked.

The assault happened at the Asda roundabout near Colchester's North Station..

Mr Bozart said: “It is quite a large bike, but I stayed in my lane. As I went past, this guy looked at me and punched me in the shoulder.
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“I lost my balance and stopped a couple of metres along the path.

“I looked back, I wanted to see what was going on and ask why he had punched me. When I looked back he was already in my face. He smelled like whisky.”

Gazette: Mr Bozart's cargo bike landed on his leg during the assaultMr Bozart's cargo bike landed on his leg during the assault (Image: Newsquest)

Mr Bozart said his attacker proceeded to “scream” at him about the bike’s proximity to the family.

“He was screaming at me that I’m coming towards his baby,” he said.

“His missus and baby in a buggy were already long gone and nowhere near close to him. Before I was able to say something, using both hands, he pushed me over.”

The stricken delivery rider said he almost fell into the road, with his heavy bike landing on his leg and his cargo spilling into the path of traffic.

“A driver had to apply the brakes to stop,” he added.

“I tried to collect myself, while my bike’s emergency alarm activated.”

The attacker fled and the police were called to the scene.

Mr Bozart said the attack left him shaken, with minor bumps and scrapes.

“The sad part was there were witnesses around, but nobody stayed to talk to the police,” he said.

“I didn’t feel good. I collected all the stuff that had fallen off my bike, I took it back to the depot and I went home.

“I did nothing wrong, but I got punched and pushed over.

“I use that road a lot during the day, and every single time now I am reminded of the assault.

“I’ve been able to go back to work, but it is always in the back of my mind. It is usually very enjoyable work, and you meet wonderful people, but this person certainly wasn’t wonderful.”

An Essex Police spokesman said: "We are investigating an assault in Colchester.

"A man in his 20s was riding a bike on a pathway on Petrolea Close at around 3.10pm on January 22 when he went to pass a pedestrian pushing a trolley.

"He rang his bell and overtook him but reported being pushed on the shoulder, causing him to fall.

"He sustained bruises to his thigh and ankle and the bike was damaged.

"The pedestrian is described as a slim white man, around 6ft tall, who is bald and wearing a black hooded top with the hood up, blue jeans, and black shoes.

"If you have any information, CCTV, dash cam or other footage in relation to this incident, then please get in contact with us.

"Please quote the crime reference number 42/13103/23."

https://www.gazette-news.co.uk/news/23275994.colchester-cargo-bike-rider-punched-pushed-thug/