Ex-town mayor assaulted after tackling yobs

Eric Armstrong, who served as mayor from 2006-7, only stopped in at Tee K's Premier newagents, Sackville Road, to buy a newspaper for his wife Jeanette.

The well-known Old Town figure, pictured left, who was chairman of the Safer Rother Partnership during his time as a Rother District Councillor, was punched by a young man after walking out of the shop on St George's Day.

Mr Armstrong's glasses were broken, and he suffered a black eye and bruising to his nose and face in the attack.

His wife, who followed the group of young people to remonstrate with them, also suffered a bruised shoulder.

Eric said: "We'd like to thank members of the community for their assistance and for the swift police response," but chose not to comment further.

It is alleged a group of around six young people were involved in shoplifting from Tee K's. Mr Armstrong tried to help move the group along at around 8.20pm.

Peter Marshall, of Marina, said: "I heard the screaming and shouting and thought, Oh God, and put my shoes on and ran around the corner. There were a lot of kids.

"I pulled two kids to the side and saw the older chap with a cut above his eye and grazes down his hand.

"One of them ran up to try and hit the older chap again. I got in the way and said, I don't think so. It's disgusting. A young kid like that hitting a 60-year-old."

Two 16-year-old men were arrested an hour later. The pair, who have not been charged, were granted police bail and will appear at Hastings Police Station in May.

Sergeant Tricia Reeve-Fowkes, of Bexhill Police, said: "With better weather arriving more people are about in the town in the evenings.

"The Central Ward panel meeting has highlighted the concerns of residents in the area in respect of anti social behaviour and underage drinking.

"Bexhill Neighbourhood Policing Team regularly patrol Egerton Park and the seafront to try and address this and alcohol is seized most evenings from youths under 18."

The owners of the newagents declined to comment.