Harpenden man asks: ‘Why was my 70-year-old attacker not charged?’

A man has told of his “frustration” with the police after he was punched in the face by a 70-year-old woman.

David Drury, 49, was called to a domestic incident involving family members on Westfield Road, Harpenden, in June when the woman came at him with a right hook.

David said: “It came out of nowhere; I couldn’t believe it. It was totally unprovoked. She just punched me right in the face but I didn’t retaliate or anything.

“I went to the hospital and they told me I had suffered some soft tissue bruising so then I reported it to the police.”

David said the police took statements from both him and his alleged attacker before dropping the case.

He said: “The police told me that they weren’t going to prosecute because of ill-health and because of her age - basically she was too old. But I think if it was the other way round, they’d be all over me. Imagine a 49-year-old man punching a 70-year-old woman.”

A police spokesperson said: “Police have fully investigated a report of a domestic related common assault. A 70-year-old woman from Harpenden was interviewed under caution and the case was reviewed. The result of this review was that the woman should be released with no further action to be taken against her.

“If the victim wants to contest this decision they have a right to do so through the right to review process.”