A 78-YEAR-old man was left with several fractured bones in his face after being attacked when he confronted somebody half his age illegally dumping rubbish.

Police want to trace the driver of a Y-registration Land Rover Discovery in connection with the incident in Parkend.

Anyone who sees fly-tipping in the Forest is being urged to report the details to the Forest Council but not to approach those responsible.

The victim was punched in the face several times when he challenged the man who was dumping rubbish in Woodland Road, Parkend.

The pensioner was walking his dog on Saturday afternoon (August 28) when he came across the Discovery driver between 3.50pm and 4.10pm.

A spokeswoman for Gloucestershire Police said: “The driver, a white man in his 40s, got out of his vehicle and punched the victim several times before driving off from the scene, causing several fractures to his face.

“He is also described as being six foot tall, of a large build, with short dark hair and had a local accent.

“The Land Rover was the Discovery model, dark blue in colour, had a Y-registration plate. Rubbish was being carried on the roof covered in clear plastic.

“Anyone who witnessed the assault or saw this vehicle in the area at the time, should call police on 101 quoting incident 326 of 28 August.”

The council’s Cabinet member for the environment, Cllr Marrilyn Smart (Con, Christ­church and English Bicknor), urged people who see fly-tipping to report it to the authority.

She said: “The council is committed to reducing fly-tipping in the district and will continue to investigate incidents and pass these on to our enforcement officers to take action where it is appropriate to do so. 

“We would urge anyone who witnesses fly-tipping not to approach the offender or disturb the scene but to report it by calling 01594 810000 providing as much information as possible.

“The district council takes fly-tipping very seriously.  Not only is this practice illegal and anti-social but it clearly has an impact on the local environment in which we live and work, can be harmful to wildlife and is potentially damaging to tourism in the area. 

“The clear up costs local taxpayers thousands of pounds each year and ultimately wastes resources which could be put to good use elsewhere.”