- Teenager was waiting at bus stop in camouflaged uniform
- Attacker sprayed him with lit fumes from the can and then escaped
- Detective calls incident an 'absolutely appalling attack
An Army Cadet suffered burns in an unprovoked attack after selling poppies for Remembrance Day.
The
15-year-old boy was waiting at a bus stop at 6pm yesterday in
Manchester city centre when a man approached him with an aerosol can and
lighter and sprayed him with lit fumes.
The
cadet, who was wearing his camouflaged uniform, suffered minor burns to
his face and singed hairs in his face and right forearm, Greater
Manchester Police said.
The
offender, described as black or Asian, 5ft 8in tall and wearing a dark
hooded top, walked off from the bus stop by the Manchester Gallery
opposite George Street without saying a word.
An Army Cadet suffered burns in an unprovoked attack after selling poppies for Remembrance Day. File picture
Police said that he appeared to be under the influence of alcohol and was staggering.
Detective
Inspector Liam Boden said: 'This is an absolutely appalling attack on a
young man who was raising money to help remember all those who gave
their lives fighting bravely for their country.
'At this stage of our inquiries, we're keeping an open minded as to what motivated the offender to commit such an act.
'Given
the initial description we have of the offender, it may be that he was
under the influence of something but whatever his motivation, his
violent actions could have scarred this young man for life.
'Although he has suffered some minor injuries, it is pure luck that he did not sustain more serious burns to his face and body.'
The offender, described as black or
Asian, 5ft 8in tall and wearing a dark hooded top, walked off from the
bus stop in Manchester city centre without saying a word. File picture
He added: 'Understandably both he and his family are in a state of total shock and cannot believe someone would do this.
'We
need to find whomever is responsible for this crime and I would
therefore appeal to anyone who has information that could help. This
happened at a very busy time in the city centre, near a main bus route,
and there could be lots of people who saw this man staggering around.
'If you do have information then please come forward.'
Manchester
Central MP Lucy Powell tweeted: 'Appalled and disgusted to hear of the
attack on a young selling poppies in Manchester. The offender will be
caught.'
Anyone with information is asked to call police on 101 or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
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