Blackburn road rage victim's protest to catch attacker

8:10am Saturday 30th August 2008

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A ROAD rage victim has vowed to stand on the spot where he was attacked until he traces two vital witnesses after police lost their details.

Robert Savage was brutally assaulted and suffered a broken leg but his assailant has never been found.

Mr Savage has been stationed at the junction with Higher Eanam and Higher Audley Street, Blackburn, bearing a large sign saying: ‘Missing witness appeal’.

It urges anyone with information to email him.

The 43-year-old has vowed to stand on the spot for as long as it takes to find the couple who came to his rescue and chased away his assailant.

Mr Savage, a musician, is still undergoing physiotherapy to overcome his injuries two-and-a-half years after a driver stopped his car and 'karate kicked' him at traffic lights at Copy Nook.

He said: “I am prepared to become a local landmark if it means bringing this man to justice.

"These people helped me but the police officer who arrived at the scene did not record their details properly and the case has never been to court.

"I have been in a lot of pain from the break and even now I have problems with my leg."

Mr Savage, of Addlington Street, Blackburn, crossed the junction on December 2, 2005 and walked in front of the car. The driver leapt out of the vehicle when Mr Savage made a rude gesture at him and kicked him in the leg, breaking the bone.

Mr Savage said: "Two passers-by from the Clitheroe area chased him away from me and stayed with me until the police arrived. I was then taken to the hospital.

"I thought they had given their details to the officer but after a few weeks I had heard nothing from the police. "It turned out the officer had not kept a note of their contact details."

Police Constable Anthony Ellis was later reprimanded by Lancashire Constabulary Professional Standards Department following an investigation into the incident.

He was found to have failed to pursue key lines of inquiry relating to potential witnesses and obtaining statements, lost key evidential material and failed to record accurate details regarding witnesses on the police incident log.

The dog-handling officer, who had been with the force for 19 years at that point, was given a written warning with recommendations to receive further training and closer supervision and monitoring of his investigations.

Mr Savage has been standing at the traffic lights during the morning and evening rush hours with a sign saying 'Missing Witnesses' in a last ditch attempt to bring his attacker to court.

He said: "I feel like I have been robbed of justice, because a simple thing like taking addresses was not done properly.

"I will stand here until I find these people. I have already had to get a new sign because the last one ripped when the rain made it damp. I am prepared to stand here, rain or shine.

"I need to find the man and woman who helped me."

A spokesperson for Lancashire police said that the disciplinary issue had been finalised but that officers would investigate if any new information came to light.

Email Mr Savage at WhoRthePoliceTrying2kid@hotmail.co.uk if you are one of the people who helped him, or if you know who they may be.