A FOOTPRINT left on the forehead of a robbery victim is being used by police to track down his attackers. Detectives are checking footware databases and speaking to manufacturers in a bid to find the thugs responsible for pub landlord Johnathan Robinson's horrific injuries.
The gang drove their car at Mr Robinson after he left the Golden Lion pub in Clifton, Salford, with £2,500 of takings. As he lay on the ground with a broken leg, they stamped on his head.
Police are treating the attack as attempted murder. Detective Sergeant Julie Connor said; "It is a vital clue. We know that this imprint was left after Mr Robinson had been run over and beaten and was lying on the ground unable to defend himself."
Mr Robinson, 33, lives at the pub with his wife, Donna, 35, and their two children, aged six and four. He said: "As I was sitting in the car with the passenger door opened and this lad started punching me in the face. The driver's door then opened and another was screaming at me to hand over the money.
Shattered
"I managed to push the door into him and tried to run back to the pub. But they ran over me in the car. My leg was shattered. I couldn't get up and they stamped on my head. At that point I blacked out. and they took the cash from my pocket. The last thing I remember was their car screeching away.
“I’m a bit shaken but I am not scared to go back to work. I have been in the pub trade for 14 years, mainly working as a relief manger. I started at the Golden Lion in August and enjoy my work – this will not put me off. I just don’t want this to happen to anyone else and hope the police catch the men that did this.
"I would like to thank the staff at Hope Hospital who cared for me. When your faith in the country is shattered these people help restore it.”
Det Sgt Connor said: “The men involved in this used excessive and unnecessary violence on a family man going about his work. Someone knows who did this and I am urging them to contact us.
False plates
"We believe that four men were involved – three attacked Mr Robinson and the other drove the car at him.”
Police believe the gang may come from the nearby Clifton estate. The Golf car the gang were in was stolen from Eppleworth Rise on the estate in the early hours of Sunday and dumped near to the pub on Ludlow Avenue. It had false number plates which were stolen from another vehicle in Tyldesley.
Anyone with information about Monday’s attack should call Salford CID on 0161 856 5351 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
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Yet another sickening day in the life of Greater Manchester. What is wrong with some people? I am glad they will treat it as attempted murder. Lets hope they catch the scum that did this and put them away for years. The courts need to start showing some bottle.
I wish Mr Robinson a speedy recovery.
ANOTHER AWFUL STORY AND I WISH MR ROBINSON A SPEEDY RECOVERY.HIS COMMENTS ABOUT THE HOSPITAL TREATMENT HE RECEIVED ARE A CREDIT TO HIM AND I ONLY PRAY THE POLICE CATRCH THEM AND THE COURTS DEAL WITH THEM CORRECTLY
For the footprint to be so visible the low-life obviously used considerable force with disregard to the damage he was about to do.
Once and I trust they will be caught the courts need to come down heavy which will send out a message to others.
The problem is they treat it as attempted murder and then drop it?. Its time we had real laws that meant something.Instead we have weak laws that mean nothing this is why we have robberies like these.if we had a death sentence with the birch etc. this sort of robbery would be few and far between.we have the looney liberal politicians to thank for these weak laws..i just wish this poor guy a speedy recovery.
I can't help feeling that letting the general public know that the footwear involved represents a 'vital clue' is not an especially bright idea.
yet again the local idiots are out i hope johnathon recovers from his injuries and moves on with his life dont let these low lives win,as i said previously on here my son had the same thing done to him but,for nothing no money,jewellery, nothing he was also left with two footprints on his head and face,a broken finger which had been done with an axe,and his body covered in bruises,his hearing has been affected by this,his face was twice its normal size,he was a mess,we had to tell his seven year old daughter that he had been in a car crash he was so bad he wouldn't go to the police as these people told him if he did they would come back and both he and his wife would get the same,my son moved out of his house the same day,luckily enough they now have a house away from the area and are now getting on with thier lives,GET WELL SOON JOHNATHON
This is another reason why pubs are closing down all over the uk, its not only rising prices, but fear of feral yobs robbing staff and hurting innocent patrons. This country sucks. Get well soon x
They are second or third generation scum! We all know some one like this…we have all read about this at one time or another! ….. They are the product of liberalism gone mad! People like these should not be allowed procreate! They should be made sterile so that there kind disappear for ever! …. Are not human.. they are closer to wild animals!...We should treat them as that!
I just seen this on the telly and it is sad, I really hope they get these scabs soon.
I hope you get well soon Johnathan.
Ace said "if we had a death sentence with the birch etc."
Now thats floggin a dead horse mate.
Just find the scum and bang them up for the rest of their natural.
terrible attack, someone should shop this gang immediately. it's obvious to everyone that the mark is a show print so how can it not be vital, the police would have been daft to deny otherwise. get well soon mr landlord
My god,this country is going to the dogs! What a terrible attack, poor Mr Robinson could have lost his life in this attack, yet the scumbags got away scot free. The whole criminal system needs to be completely revised, bring back hanging, then they wouldn't think twice would they? Plus we wouldn't have to pay to keep them in jail if they had been hanged. Cheaper all round. Wishing you a swift recovery sir.
Johnathon,
I am devastated to see what these animals have done to you. To anyone who doesnt know Johnathon you couldn't meet a more decent, polite, and hardworking member of the public. Even now badly battered and bruised he is thanking the hospital staff who have helped him. This shows what a thoroughly decent human being he is. My heart goes out to Jonathon and all his family. I love you all and are thinking of you.
Dianne (cousin) x
its jack ruby's grandson I am so sorry to hear about this attack on you ruby and johnny send their best wishes and we hope they get caught