Couple attacked after offering lift to drunk man in Devon

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 23 Oct, 16:03 · Archive

A husband and wife were assaulted by an intoxicated man they picked up on a dark Devon road.

A husband and wife were attacked by a drunk man they had given a lift to on a dark, unlit road in Devon. The couple noticed the intoxicated man walking along the A381 between Totnes and Newton Abbot at around 10.45pm on Saturday 17 October, concerned for his welfare, and offered to help him.

According to Devon and Cornwall Police, the man initially appeared grateful but soon became agitated and aggressive. He assaulted the woman who was driving the vehicle. The couple stopped the car on Five Lanes Road in Marldon and asked him to leave, but he refused. The man then punched and kicked both the husband and wife, causing injuries to them both.

Police describe the suspect as a white male in his mid-30s, between 5ft 10in and 6ft tall, of average to athletic build, with short brown hair and no facial hair. He was wearing a grey jacket over a white shirt and had existing injuries to his face. Officers believe two other vehicles stopped in the area during the incident and are urging their occupants to come forward, along with anyone else who witnessed the assault or has dashcam or CCTV footage.

How it is being reported

• Couple attacked after offering stranger a lift on dark Devon road, police sayA husband and wife were injured after offering a stranger a lift in South Devon. Police are appealing for witnesses and dashcam footageExmouth Journal · 23 Oct, 15:22
• Horror as couple attacked by drunk man they gave a lift to on Devon A-roadHe became aggressive in the car and started attacking the husband and wifeDevonLive · 23 Oct, 14:58

In this story: Devon and Cornwall Police · Devon · A381 · Totnes · Newton Abbot · Five Lanes Road · Marldon

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