Fifty years ago in Heaton Moor there was a man of indeterminate age (though probably around 40) known as Springy Jack.
He was always smartly dressed in summer in a tweed jacket, shirt tie and dark trousers which was supplemented in winter by a dark raincoat.
His name came from his peculiar gait and jerky manner. He had a speech defect and continually muttered to himself but was capable of running errands to the local shops where he was well known and well looked after by the shop keepers and populace alike.
Though he came in for the odd cat call from certain local children the thought of harming him would never have been entertained.
It speaks volumes for the way UK society has changed that Market Dave suffered such a violent attack and it also says nothing for the deterrent effect and usefulness of the cameras that abound in British towns that people feel free to carry out such an attack in a town centre.
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