Rochdale woman left traumatised following partner's attack

A Rochdale woman has spoken of the horrific moment she saw her partner attacked, whilst they took their dog for a walk.

Gaynor Ross, 39, and her partner Steve Cookson, 49, were walking their Border Collie along the Rochdale Canal, close to Surma Close, Kingsway when Mr Cookson suffered a nasty attack from a group of Asian men.

Ms Ross explained how the couple had set out to walk their dog, a trip they used to regularly make, they set off from their home on Prince Street at about 6.45 and once at the canal Ms Ross let the dog off the lead.

Whilst walking the couple were met by three young Asian men who jumped out of the way of the dog, Mr Cookson is said to have “had banter” with the lads, about being scared of a dog.

The couple carried on their walk, with Ms Ross slightly ahead, and Mr Cookson behind, they became aware that the young men were shouting to another group of Asian young men, but continued walking.

A short while later, the couple’s dog went up to an Asian man and his two children, the man swung one daughter away which caused her to scream.

Ms Ross said: “I know that Asians don’t like dogs but we didn’t do it on purpose, we try to keep the dog under control.”

The man swore at Ms Ross and left with his children; Ms Ross noticed that one of the children had dropped an item of clothing and when she went to return it she saw that a group of ten Asians were following Mr Cookson.

“I saw one of them smack him from behind,” said a tearful Ms Ross.

“I couldn’t do anything. I can’t get the picture out of my head.

“I can’t go to the canal, it is upsetting, it is so awful, it all happened in a split second.

“I am glad there was no fight anything could have happened – he could have ended up in the canal.”

Ms Ross continued: “Steve was bent down with his hands on his face; he had blood in his mouth and all over his face.”

As Mr Cookson shouted: “I’m calling the police” his attackers fled.

“I originally thought he had broken his jaw,” said Ms Ross.

On that Friday night the couple gave statements to the police and Mr Cookson was treated at the Rochdale Infirmary.

X-rays showed that Mr Cookson has three fractures to his cheek bone; his eye socket was split and a crack to his cheek bone.

Mr Cookson has been left with a feeling of numbness on the left side of his face because of damage to his nerve.

Mr Cookson has since undergone reconstructive surgery to his face and the damage to his nerve may never heal.

Speaking through her tears Ms Ross said: “It was quarter to seven, it was still light, and there was nobody else about. Now there is no way I will go down there.

“It is not a nice thing to see your partner being attacked and knowing you can’t do anything.

“They could have had a knife – these things happen, sometimes peoples’ wives and husbands go out and don’t come back because they have been attacked.

“This might sound selfish but this is something that happens to somebody else, not to us out walking the dog.”

Ms Ross added: “I am traumatised. I was so scared for Steve. It has made me hate the area I live in, the area I was brought up in.

“It has totally changed my life – it has made me want to leave Rochdale.” 

A spokesperson for the police said: "Around 6.30pm on Friday 16 July 2010, police received a report of an assault, which took place on a canal towpath close to Crawford Street, Rochdale.

"The 49-year-old victim was walking his dog along the towpath when he was attacked from behind.

"He was left with serious facial injuries following the assault.

"The offender was described as Asian, around 18 to 20 years old, of very slim build with short dark hair. He was wearing a white and grey horizontal striped top with a black jacket and black trousers."

Anyone with information should call police on 0161 856 8549 or call the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously on 0800 555 111.