Ghost tour leader attacked by thugs (From York Press)
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Ghost tour leader Trevor Rooney attacked by thugs
9:40am Tuesday 14th August 2012 in News
By Jennifer Bell, Crime reporter
Trevor Rooney shows his injuries to highlight the growing number of attacks on street performers in York
ONE of York's best-known ghost walkers has been left with a black eye after he was attacked in the city centre.
Ghost tour leader Trevor Rooney says he is the latest street performer in York to be targeted by thugs, following the assault outside McDonalds in Blake Street at about 3.30am on Saturday.
Mr Rooney, who has been organising and leading ghost walks through York for 32 years, said he was attacked moments after being approached by a group of people who recognised him from his recent appearance on Channel 4 TV show Come Dine With Me, which pits contestants against each other during the course of a week to see who can throw the best dinner party.
Mr Rooney said: “I have not wanted to come back into York because I do not want people to see me with my black eye as I am a public figure and people recognise me.”
He said he wanted to speak out to raise awareness of assaults on public figures in the arts.
The Press told a year ago how street performer Purpleman, who sits on his bike for up to eight hours a day in Stonegate, was abused by a group of men then dragged off his bike.
Last September Simon Watson, a street entertainer who performs as a Star Wars Stormtrooper, claimed he was abused and kicked by a gang of youths in York.
“It seems like members of the arts have been targeted in attacks recently in York by these thugs and I wanted to bring the attacks to light,” Mr Rooney said.
A 19-year-old from York has been charged with assault by beating and is due before court on September 3. A 21-year-old man from Barlby has been charged with being drunk and disorderly in a public place. He is set to appear before court on August 31.
