Boy, 18, charged with assault by beating after OAP, 74, pushed into freezing River Mersey
AN 18-year-old boy has been charged with assault by beating after an OAP was pushed into a freezing cold river.
Benjamin Bridgeman will appear at Warrington Magistrates Court on May 19.
The man, 74, had been sitting on the bank of the River Mersey in Warrington, Cheshire, on Sunday afternoon before the “shocking and upsetting incident”.
The 18-year-old was arrested on Wednesday after he attended a police station.
A 15-year-old boy has this morning also attended a police station and was arrested on suspicion of assault.
He is currently in police custody for questioning.
A 15-year-old boy who was arrested on Wednesday, April 28 has been released with no further action for the assault.
He has been released under investigation for the offence of possession with intent to supply cannabis.
Cops say the attack happened between 2.30pm and 3pm on Wharf Street near Riverside Retail Park.
Two or three teens are believed to have pushed him from behind causing him to fall into the water.
Two schoolgirls who were passing by came to his aid and pulled him out of the water,
Ellie Hughes and Khloe Woods, 14, were walking down along the river on Sunday when they heard someone screaming for help.
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The teenagers rushed to the man and made a human chain to get him out of the freezing river.
The OAP walked home soaking wet and informed his family who reported the assault to the police.
A spokesperson for Cheshire Police said: "He has been bailed and will appear at Warrington Magistrates Court on May 19."