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Colchester council candidate Carla Hales punched taking selfies | |
(about 1 hour later) | |
A candidate out leafleting ahead of the local council elections has been punched while taking pictures for social media. | |
Conservative Carla Hales was attacked while in Colchester's New Town & Christ Church ward on Wednesday. | Conservative Carla Hales was attacked while in Colchester's New Town & Christ Church ward on Wednesday. |
Mrs Hales said she suffered "sore ribs and a slightly bruised ego" in the attack on Bourne Road. | Mrs Hales said she suffered "sore ribs and a slightly bruised ego" in the attack on Bourne Road. |
She said the man swore at her in what is believed to be a politically motivated attack. | |
Mrs Hales, who went to hospital to be checked over, said she planned to take a couple of days off campaigning to recover but would then continue working as normal. | |
Essex Police has confirmed it is investigating. | Essex Police has confirmed it is investigating. |
'Three quick punches' | 'Three quick punches' |
Mrs Hales said she had been taking pictures for social media when a man approached her and punched her three times in the side before running off. | |
"I had some of my leaflets and was hoping to get some selfies and that sort of thing, I didn't really hear anyone approach because I had my head in my phone," she said. | "I had some of my leaflets and was hoping to get some selfies and that sort of thing, I didn't really hear anyone approach because I had my head in my phone," she said. |
"A man came up behind me and gave me three quick punches in my side and then said some things I can't say." | "A man came up behind me and gave me three quick punches in my side and then said some things I can't say." |
Mrs Hales added she was slightly sore but otherwise fine. | Mrs Hales added she was slightly sore but otherwise fine. |
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Conservative group leader Darius Laws said he was saddened and appalled by the attack. | Conservative group leader Darius Laws said he was saddened and appalled by the attack. |
"This is the ugly side of politics and it is an attack not just on a Conservative but an attack on democracy," he said. | "This is the ugly side of politics and it is an attack not just on a Conservative but an attack on democracy," he said. |
"It is an attack on everyone who seeks to put their name forward to stand up for their community. Such violence and intimidation is utterly deplorable." | |
Labour councillor Cathy Cordiner-Achenbach was punched in the stomach after delivering a leaflet through a door earlier this month. Norfolk Police is investigating. | |
Other candidates in the New Town & Christ Church Ward are Bob Brannan (Green), Nick Cope (Liberal Democrat) and Elisa Vasquez-Walters (Labour). | Other candidates in the New Town & Christ Church Ward are Bob Brannan (Green), Nick Cope (Liberal Democrat) and Elisa Vasquez-Walters (Labour). |