Old woman with cerebral palsy ‘abused’ by stranger after asking to use lift alone for fear of Covid

Police have launched a manhunt after a 72-year-old woman with cerebral palsy was allegedly abused by a stranger.

Officers say the victim was aggressively confronted when she asked the man if she could use a lift alone because of her fear of catching Covid.

The man then reportedly made derogatory comments towards the 72-year-old about her disability. 

Police have launched a manhunt after a 72-year-old woman with cerebral palsy was allegedly abused by a stranger

Officers say the victim was aggressively confronted when she asked the man if she could use a lift alone because of her fear of catching Covid

The encounter happened inside a lift in the Victoria Centre arcade in Nottingham.

In CCTV photos published by the police, the man is pictured staring intently at the woman and later kicking the lift, seemingly after the doors had shut.

The white-haired male, wearing a grey t-shirt and jeans can be seen in the image clenching his fists in anger and gritting his teeth.

His arched back and scrunched eyebrows also indicate aggressive behaviour. 

The encounter happened inside a lift in the Victoria Centre arcade in Nottingham (pictured, stock image)

Inspector Paul Gummer, who leads the City Centre Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: ‘This was an appalling incident that caused great upset and distress to the victim.

‘Despite extensive inquiries, all efforts to trace the person responsible have been met with a negative result and so we now asking for the public’s help to identify him.’