The family of one-punch attack victim Danny Hodgson say they are devastated after his younger brother was robbed and assaulted near Carlisle College.
Music and production student Joe Hodgson, who is 19 and plays both guitar and piano, was the victim of random violence on Monday afternoon which has led to his relatives offering a reward in a bid to catch the culprit.
“We are devastated,” said Joe’s mum, Nicola, of Cleator Moor. “This random attack has left Joe not attending college as he is too scared to return knowing the person that did this is still walking the streets.
“Joe lives with autism so he will probably associate college with the attack and never return. This has now stopped Joe from being able to do the things he loves most — music — and will never finish the course he set out to do, to move on with his music journey and career.
“If anyone has information that will help police catch this person, please get in touch. A reward of £500 for any information leading to an arrest and conviction will be given by the family.”
A Cumbria police spokesman said: “Detectives are investigating a report of robbery that occurred on Monday October 17, at around 3.15pm in the area of the underpass between Strand Road and Chapel Street, Carlisle.
“It is reported a man aged 19 was approached by an unknown male who assaulted him before taking an item from him.”
Monday’s assault on Joe comes as his family — including dad Peter and sister Abby — continue to live with the life-changing impact of an attack on his elder brother Danny in Perth, Western Australia, last September.
Keen footballer Danny was on his way home after an end-of-season celebration with team-mates from his club ECU Joondalup when he was struck without warning at the city’s train station.
This left the former Carlisle United youth player in a coma in hospital and facing a long recovery including daily physiotherapy as he learned to walk again. Danny was left disabled and now needs round-the-clock care.
His attacker, who was 16 at the time of the assault, was sentenced to three years and eight months in jail for the assault and a string of other crimes.
Nicola had also posted on Facebook after Monday’s attack on Joe: “Heartbreaking when your son tells you to stop crying because he will be safe as he is never leaving the house again. These scumbags don’t know how they change the whole course of people’s lives. Am done with society.”
Anyone with information can report it online at www.cumbria.police.uk/report-it quoting incident number182 of 17th October, 2022 or call 101.
Alternatively, you can contact Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
