After’shocking footage of a beating man emerged, a 16-year old boy was taken into custody and remanded.
The incident was also filmed by a 16-year-old girl who has been taken into custody.
The video of the attack shows a man in his 40s sitting on Blackpool Promenade ‘completely defenceless’ and ‘minding his own business’ on Wednesday morning.
A male approached him, asking him to get a “spare pipe cig”. He then started shouting at him close to the Lifeboat Station in the beachside town.
It is believed that the man had given the youth the cigarette, but the youth insisted on him giving it back and then beat him until he gave up.
The attacker then starts repeatedly kicking and punching the victim before picking up and taking his bag.
Lancashire police said the victim has been left with several broken bones and serious cuts and bruises but ‘thankfully’ no life-threatening injuries.
One senior officer said it was ‘extremely fortunate’ that the attack did not end up in a ‘murder enquiry’.
Det Supt Becky Smith said the ‘level of violence displayed by the suspect [in the video] is quite frankly extremely disturbing and inexcusable’.
Detectives said a 16-year-old boy appeared at Blackpool Magistrates’ Court today and will next appear at Blackpool Youth Court on September 15 to face charges of robbery over the incident.
Officers also arrested a 16-year-old girl on suspicion of conspiracy to rob this evening. She remains in custody.
The video – which police allege was filmed by an accomplice – shows a man in his 40s sitting on Blackpool Promenade ‘completely defenceless’ and ‘minding his own business’ on Wednesday morning when a male approaches (pictured, stills from the footage)
Another male approaches him and asks him for a cigarette then starts shouting at him near Blackpool Lifeboat Station
After repeatedly punching and kicking the victim, the attacker grabs his bag and picks up again.
Police in Lancashire said that the victim suffered from broken bones, severe cuts and bruises. However, there were no immediate life-threatening injuries.
This disturbing video features a boy wearing dark shorts, a cap and a dark top as he approaches the man while he smokes on his step alone.
He shouts, “I’m just asking you to tell me if you still have your spare cig?” That’s all I’m f****** asking, lad. It’s all that I need, lad.
The man told him to “chill” and offered the youth his cigarettes.
He takes it and says: ‘Yeah, I will f****** have that. Why? Because I f****** want it. Now run me all your s*** right now. Every f****** thing, lad. You think I’m f****** joking, lad?’
The man tries to calm him down, but this only further enrages the boy, who asks: ‘Why should I f****** chill out?’
While the victim pleads, “that was my last smoke,” the youth replies by hitting him with a hard kick in the head. He knocked him to his knees.
He stands over him, punching him repeatedly in the face, shouting: ‘Did I f****** ask what your last cigarette was? Did I f****** ask? F****** pass me your f****** bag now.’
In a statement released, to Lancs Live, a force spokesperson said: ‘We posted earlier today about the shocking video of the man being assaulted and robbed on The Prom and we told you that a 16-year-old boy had been arrested and charged with robbery.
“Just to let you know that he appeared in magistrates court today and was taken into custody. Next, he is due to appear before Blackpool Youth Court in September.
“We would also like to inform you that today we had arrested a 16 year old girl for conspiracy to rob. It is possible that she was responsible for filming the event. She is currently held in custody.
“Many people are asking me why the boy is being charged with robbery. Robbery, a grave offence that carries a maximum sentence of life imprisonment, is punishable by death.
Blackpool tower, located on Blackpool’s Golden Mile is an iconic landmark.
The theft of property from another person while threating or using force to inflict an offense.
“After we review all of the evidence, we will consider any additional charges that may be appropriate.”
“Once again we wish to emphasize that these levels of violence won’t be tolerated by our communities, and we will continue to pursue those who are guilty of such terrible crimes.
Det. Supt. Smith stated that the level of violence this suspect displayed against an entirely defenseless man, who was sat at his desk minding his own affairs is quite frankly very disturbing and unacceptable.
“It is even more egregious that an accomplice watches and film this horrific incident from a distance, without any attempt to stop or assist the victim who clearly has serious injuries.
Becky Smith, Detective Superintendent: “The degree of violence shown by this suspect towards a completely defenseless man sitting down and minding his business is quite frankly extremely disturbing. It is inexcusable.
“This crime gets worse because an accomplice watches and filming the despicable event, offering no assistance or help to the clearly injured male, is a shameful act.
“In nearly 29 years of police work in Blackpool, I have been witness to some distressing and traumatic incidents. It is a blessing that I don’t stand here now leading a murder inquiry and offering support for a family going through a difficult time.
“This is not true. The actions of the suspect left the victim severely injured and didn’t care what condition it was. Anybody who believes that this type of violence can be tolerated is wrong.
“We have joined the police to see that people who are responsible for most serious offenses against our community’s communities are caught and brought to justice.
“I want to thank all who have reached out to us for information. Anybody with additional information, or who witnessed the incident, I urge them to get in touch.
Anybody with any information should call 101 and quote log 0200 from August 31. Or, anonymously dial Crimestoppers at 0800 555 112.