MARGUERITE MCGUIGAN

This statement (consisting of 2 pages each signed by me) is true to the best of my knowledge and belief and I make it knowing that, if it is tendered in evidence, I shall be liable to prosecution if I have wilfully stated in it, anything which I know to be false or do not believe to be true.

Signature: MARGUERITE MCGUIGAN Date: 25/09/22

Tick if witness evidence is visually recorded [ ] (supply witness details on rear)

I am the above-named person, and I reside at the address overleaf.

At about 4 pm on Saturday, 20th July 2022, I was at the optician's on the corner of Denmark Street and St Augustine's Parade. I was in a second-floor waiting room leafing through 'HELLO!' when I heard a lot of shouting coming from the street outside. I looked out of the window. This window faces onto Denmark Street.

On looking out and down, I could clearly see a Porsche Boxster motor car stationary, facing towards St Augustine's Parade and a few feet onto the road. This car was across the pavement area. I could see that the driver's door of the Porsche was open.

Standing closest to this open door was a male who I would describe as being white, with grey hair, bald on top, and aged in his early 70s. He was about 5'7" tall and smartly dressed.

Standing about three feet from this male was a younger male, white, about mid to late thirties. He had a ponytail and was wearing a green army-style jacket. He had a large rucksack on his back, which was blue in colour. This male was about six feet tall. He was taller than the first male.

I could hear that both males were in a heated argument, and I could hear swearing coming from the taller, younger male.

The first male then got into the driver's seat of the Porsche. I could still hear the argument continuing, then the second, younger male approached the car. He placed his hand on the open car door, then, leaning into the car, I saw this male pull back his head, followed by him spitting once into the car. The elderly gentleman got out of the driver's seat and stood between the seat and the open door, still arguing. He placed both hands on the shoulders of the younger male in a "keep back" gesture. The younger male was knocked slightly off balance. With that, the younger male pulled his arm back and punched the elderly male fully in the face. The elderly male stumbled and fell backwards. Falling to the ground, he landed on his back with considerable force. I was expecting the male to get up, but he remained on the ground, not moving. I could see other people arriving on the scene. The younger male who committed the assault remained close by.

At this point, I had to leave my location because the optician was ready for me. I was with the optician for only several minutes because they didn't have contact lenses in my size. I then went down to the ground floor. I went out and established that there was a nurse on the scene. I noticed a tall male police officer speaking to the male who had committed the assault. I would estimate that I viewed this incident from a distance of about twenty-five feet. I do not know either the injured elderly gentleman or the younger male who had committed the assault. I have never seen these males before today.