A MAN suffered a black eye and was threatened with knife after refusing to give up his seat on bench

Police have released CCTV image of a man they would like to speak to after two offences in Reading which are being linked.

The first incident took place on September 25, between 6.30pm and 7pm in the Waterloo Meadows recreation area, opposite the Katesgrove Children’s Centre.

The victim, a 40-year-old man, was sitting on a bench with his bicycle nearby when he was approached by a man on a bike.

The man demanded that the victim get off the bench and the victim refused.

He then wheeled the victim’s bicycle away and as the victim went to retrieve it, the man assaulted him by punching him in the face.

An altercation then took place, during which the offender took out a knife and attempted to assault the victim with it.

A woman then approached and spoke to the offender and the victim left the scene before contacting the emergency services.

He sustained a black eye and scratches to his face and attended hospital. He has since been discharged.

The second incident occurred on the same day between 6.45pm and 7.10pm on Elgar Road, near the entrance of the Katesgrove Children’s Centre car park.

The victim, a man aged in his 30s, was walking along the road with his dog when he was approached by man on a bicycle who told him that he would have to pay a toll to carry on walking along the road.

He then threatened the man with a weapon and demanded money, which the victim told him he did not have. The offender then left the scene.

Investigating officers believe the same offender is responsible for both incidents.

Police constable Colin Boyes, based at Reading police station, said: “I would like to speak to anyone who recognises the man in these images as he might have vital information relating to these two incidents.

“If you know this man, or have any information as to his whereabouts, please call the Thames Valley Police non-emergency number on 101.”

If you do not want to speak to police, please call the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.