Thugs attack Merseytravel chief

Sep 19 2007 by Alan Weston, Liverpool Daily Post

THE leader of Merseyside’s passenger transport authority needed hospital treatment after he was the victim of an assault.

Cllr Mark Dowd, 65, the chairman of Merseytravel, was walking home after an evening out with his wife, son, and daughter-in-law in the Old Roan area of Aintree when the attack happened. It is understood Cllr Dowd and his son were set upon by a group of around six or seven young men in Homestead Avenue in the early hours of Sunday morning.

Mr Dowd was kicked in the ribs, face, head and shoulders. His son had part of his left ear bitten off in the attack and now faces three operations to rebuild his ear. oth were treated at Fazakerley Hospital following the attack.

A Merseyside Police spokesman said: “This was a vicious and entirely unprovoked attack. This group of people were walking home from a night out and they were set upon for no reason.”

A spokesman for Merseytravel said: “We are naturally deeply concerned about this assault, but it is a personal matter for Cllr Dowd and his family.”

Anyone with information should call the confidential Crimestoppers line on 0800 555 111.

* MERSEYSIDE Police have arrested two men on suspicion of wounding.