Peak District farmer 'punched and kicked' for asking walker to go home during lockdown

A Derbyshire farmer was allegedly punched 15 times and kicked in the ribs after asking a Peak District walker to go home amid the coronavirus lockdown.
By Steve Jones
Published 25th Mar 2020, 16:25 BST
Updated 27th Mar 2020, 12:27 BST
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The incident took place at around 9.45am on Sunday and left the victim, from Edale, “shaken and bruised”, Derbyshire Police said.

The force said the victim did not suffer life-threatening or altering injuries.

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The offender was described as white, aged about 40, with fair hair and glasses. He wore standard walking gear, a hat and a 'snood'.

Bakewell Police left a note on vehicles at Monsal Head, reminding them of the new government rules.Bakewell Police left a note on vehicles at Monsal Head, reminding them of the new government rules.
Bakewell Police left a note on vehicles at Monsal Head, reminding them of the new government rules.

Derbyshire Police have also urged would-be day-trippers to the Peak District to stay at home, and said daily exercise should take place ‘locally’.

A message posted on Facebook on behalf of the farmer said he had been spraying his gate handles with disinfectant due to the “hundreds of people that went through them yesterday.”

It read: "I got a very funny look of a man walking and said to him there are too many people here will you please just go home.

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"I have just had to phone the police as my thanks was to be punched about 15 times then kicked in the ribs as I hit the floor.”

Tweeting on Wednesday, Derbyshire Police said: "While we have this fantastic space in our county, right now is not the time to be using it.

"This is to help ensure that our emergency services aren't put under even more pressure during this time.

Anyone with information about the assault should contact 101 and quote crime ref 20*157808.