Note: we are republishing this story which originally made the news in December 2019.
In a shocking incident of unprovoked violence, a 70-year-old Good Samaritan in Golcar, West Yorkshire, faced a brutal assault while selflessly distributing gifts to the homeless. Moira Norcliffe, a retired medical receptionist, became the victim of a thug’s aggression near a market in Huddersfield town center.
Law enforcement and emergency services swiftly responded to the scene, with Mrs. Norcliffe being rushed to Huddersfield Royal Infirmary’s A&E department for immediate medical attention. Fortunately, she has been discharged from the hospital, initiating the process of both physical and psychological recovery.
Recalling the traumatizing incident, Mrs. Norcliffe revealed, “I was just going to turn into the Monday Market when these two hands came up behind me and pushed my shoulder blades, and I went down like a sack of potatoes.” She described the assailant standing just a few feet away, seemingly eager to observe her reactions.
Her benevolent act involved providing assistance to the less fortunate, a practice she engages in when she has spare funds. In a testament to her selflessness, Mrs. Norcliffe hadn’t even informed her husband of her charitable activity; it was revealed spontaneously in the ambulance.
Her husband, Peter Norcliffe, 72, expressed the collective bewilderment shared by medical staff, police, family, and friends at the senseless attack. He stated, “All signs are that the man just wanted to hurt someone who couldn’t fight back. He didn’t attempt theft or further assault.” The community remains puzzled as to why someone would carry out such an unprovoked act of violence against an elderly woman engaged in acts of kindness.
In a somewhat ironic twist, the assailant targeted Mrs. Norcliffe while she was distributing new woolly hats, gloves, socks, currant teacakes, cheese, and water to the homeless in the town center—all funded by Moira herself. The nature of the assault, devoid of any apparent motive or attempted theft, has left the community grappling with the disturbing question of why someone would commit such a heartless act.
As the investigation unfolds, authorities are working tirelessly to apprehend the assailant responsible for this reprehensible attack on a compassionate Good Samaritan.
Sources: Daily Mail