Young man arrested 'over mocking and sucker-punching’ cerebral palsy sufferer
A YOUNG man has been charged with assaulting a 22-year-old with cerebral palsy after he mocked and sucker-punched the lad.
Man arrested after mocking and punching cerebral palsy sufferer
Barry Baker, 29, of Coatesville, Pennsylvania, in the US, was charged with simple assault after allegedly attacked the the 22-year-old man outside a 7-Eleven in West Chester.
Authorities said that Baker was caught on CCTV video imitating how the man with cerebral palsy walked from his car into the store.
When the man emerged from the store, Baker allegedly continued to mock him and then reportedly punched him in the face without warning.
Barry Baker is accused of assaulting a man with cerebral
CCTV footage from the 7-Eleven store
West Chester Police Chief Scott Bohn said: “The defendant’s actions in this case are appalling. You wonder what would make an individual treat somebody like that.”
Police said that Baker fled the scene but was later arrested.
He posted bail and is next scheduled to appear in court on May 30.
Chester County district attorney Tom Hogan said: “This defendant is a bully. Every decent citizen should be outraged by the defendant’s conduct.
“The victim is to be commended for keeping his cool and notifying the police.”
He added: “The victim showed a lot of dignity.
“It’s shocking that in today’s world you would have somebody attacking you simply because you suffer from cerebral palsy.”