Sheffield former world pool champ 'attacked in wheelchair and left with broken jaw and eye socket'

Former pool world champion Gary Swift needed surgery after he was attacked in his wheelchair on his way home from a Sheffield pub.

By David Kessen

Published 5th Oct 2022, 11:30 BST

Updated 5th Oct 2022, 14:17 BST

Watch more of our videos on Shots!
and live on Freeview channel 276

Gary, aged 50, who was the English Pool Association wheelchair world champion three times, had been to the Fox, in Beighton, after getting back from a tournament in Mansfield at around 10pm.

Fan arrests: Sheffield United, Sheffield Wednesday, Barnsley, Chesterfield, Donc...

But when he left, in his wheelchair which has an electric bike attached, he says he saw a group of people in hoodies on Robin Lane, and told them he ‘hoped they were not up to anything’.

Former pool world champion Gary Swift needed surgery after he was attacked in his wheelchair on his way home from a Sheffield pub. He is pictured in hospital

Former pool world champion Gary Swift needed surgery after he was attacked in his wheelchair on his way home from a Sheffield pub. He is pictured in hospital

He said at that point, he said one of them ran towards him and attacked him with a punch – breaking his jaw and eye socket.

He fled back to the pub as fast as he could. Staff called the police.

Gary said: “Luckily he didn’t knock me out or knock me out of my chair. I managed to get away and went back to the Fox pub for help. Staff and customers there were so helpful – thanks everyone.

“If these are not stopped he will kill someone one day. If this was someone old this might be a funeral not an operation."

Former pool world champion Gary Swift needed surgery after he was attacked in his wheelchair on his way home from a Sheffield pub. The picture shows his injuries

Former pool world champion Gary Swift needed surgery after he was attacked in his wheelchair on his way home from a Sheffield pub. The picture shows his injuries

The attack happened at around 12.30am on September 24.

Gary, aged 50, later went to hospital, having initially returned to his home. He was X-rayed at accident and emergency, and doctors found he has suffered fractures to his eye socket, his cheekbone, and to his upper jaw.

He was taken in for surgery at the Royal Hallamshire Hospital.

MORE: Big cats, snakes, crocs – wave of bizarre animal sightings

But he has refused to be intimidated by what happened, and says he will continue to go out, and will continue to take part in his high profile pool tournaments, with more scheduled in the next few weeks.

Gary has been in a wheelchair since he was a teenager. He was playing football near Dyke Vale Road, near Hackenthorpe, as a 13-year-old near an electricity substation 37 years ago, and went too close to an electrical cable.

He said: “Around 11,000 volts went through me and caused damage to my neck.”

Anyone with information or CCTV of the attack should call South Yorkshire Police on 101, quoting crime reference number 14/172138/22.

South Yorkshire Police have been approached for comment.

MORE: Ambulance called after child reported injured in street incident