Appeal for witnesses after man choked unconscious in unprovoked assault

We are appealing for witnesses to an incident in which a man was choked unconscious during an alleged assault in Clay Cross. 

We were called to reports that an elderly man had been choked unconscious in an unprovoked assault at around 10.20am on 20 May at Clay Cross bus station in Market Street.

The victim, a man in his 80s, suffered injuries to his neck and ear, which required stitches. It is believed he will make a full physical recovery.

Officers arrived within minutes of the incident taking place and arrested a man on suspicion of assault.

Ryan Godfrey was subsequently charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm, intentional strangulation and threats to kill.

The 28-year-old, of Church Avenue, Danesmoor, was remanded into police custody and appeared at Southern Derbyshire Magistrates’ Court on 21 May where he was further remanded to prison.

Officers are keen to speak to anyone who may have witnessed the incident and anyone who is able to help with our enquiries is asked to contact us using any of the below methods, including reference 26*290854:

• Website – We have crime reporting tools on our website: use our online contact form
• Facebook – send us a private message to the Derbyshire Constabulary Facebook page
• Phone – call us on 101 

You can also anonymously contact the independent charity CrimeStoppers, on 0800 555 111, or by visiting the CrimeStoppers website.