A 71-YEAR-OLD man was brutally assaulted in a York street in an attack which left him with a fractured foot, cut lip and missing teeth, police have said.

The man had been making his way across Rougier Street to the bus stop with his son, who suffers from a mental disorder, but they were forced to step back onto the pavement to avoid an oncoming car, which then stopped and words were exchanged.

They were then approached by three men from the direction of Tanner Row, but who were apparently unconnected to the initial incident.

One of the men punched the man in the face, knocking him to the ground and his legs were stamped on as he lay in the street. The men then ran off towards Holgate.

The incident happened at about 8.45pm on January 31, but police did not divulge details until yesterday.

PC Tom Copeland, of York police, said: “This was a vicious attack on vulnerable people which resulted in serious injuries to a 71-year-old man. This has caused the victim considerable pain and distress.”

He said several cars passed by and had to stop to avoid the incident. PC Copeland said: “I am appealing to the drivers of those vehicles to come forward as they may have information vital to the investigation.”

He said the occupants of the vehicle involved in the initial exchange of words had been assisting police with their inquiries, but police needed to trace the three men involved in the actual assault.

The victim, who is from Leeds, had been on a shopping trip in York.

Officers have been reviewing CCTV footage of the incident and ask witnesses to phone on 101.