Thousands raised for South Yorkshire mugging victim after footage of 'sickening' attack is shared online

A 41-year-old man was walking down an alleyway in Barnsley town centre on VE Day last Friday, May 8, when he was hit in the face and pulled to the ground before his mobile phone and cigarettes were taken.

A video of the assault was shared widely via social media and Steven O’Brien was so disgusted by what he saw that he launched a fundraising campaign to help the victim.

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More than 350 people have between them donated over £3,500 and Mr O’Brien said he was ‘overwhelmed’ by the response.

“I just felt sickened by the video and I wanted to do something for the victim, but I never expected people to be so generous,” said the 39-year-old lorry driver, from Worsbrough.

“Hopefully this will give him some confidence and show him that not everybody’s bad and there are people out there who care about other people.”

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Mr O’Brien added that he did not know the victim before launching the appeal but had since spoken to a friend of the man and was due to meet them both this weekend.

Five men, aged 34, 28, 27, 25 and 19, and a 21-year-old woman were initially arrested in connection with the attack on suspicion of robbery.

They were released under investigation but five of the six were re-arrested on Wednesday on suspicion of robbery.

To donate, visit www.gofundme.com/f/giving-something-back-to-the-kid-who-was-mugged.