Shropshire busker in hospital after street attack
A busker who has been a fixture of Ludlow's streets for over a decade has been taken to hospital after being attacked in broad daylight . A 78-year-old man has been arrested.
Keith Mitchell, well known in Ludlow for playing the tin whistle with his dog outside the entrance to the Church of St Laurence, was taken to hospital after he was attacked.
Described as "part of Ludlow life", Mr Mitchell, known to most simply as Mitch, was a town councillor between 2007 and 2012 but can be found most days sitting on the corner of the alleyway to the church, behind the Buttercross on High Street.
Shoppers and traders were shocked when an argument with a passing pensioner erupted into violence at about noon on Wednesday, and ended with Mr Mitchell lying on the pavement with a suspected broken arm.
Town centre resident Tony Bradley, 65, who was at the Church Inn pub close by, said he witnessed the attack.
"I was sat outside having a cigarette," he said. He said an argument had started between Mr Mitchell and the man, who accused him of treating his dog cruelly.
"Well, Mitch loves his dog," he said.
The two argued and the man attacked him, he said.
"He was left on the floor and a gentleman put him on a seat outside the church."
He said Mr Mitchell had already been complaining of a problem with his arm before the attack.
Landlord Tim Barrass said: "All I saw was the guy laid out on the pavement, with police around him. There was a paramedic on the way."
The Venerable Colin Williams, rector of St Laurence's Church, said Mr Mitchell had played at the end of the passageway to the church for more than 10 years.
"We were very sad to hear he was in hospital as he is very much a part of Ludlow life," he said.
"A lot of people have been asking after him and are very sad to hear he has been attacked.
"We hope that he'll be back playing his flute very soon."
A spokesman for West Mercia Police said: "There was an altercation outside the Buttercoss at about 12.20pm.
"Keith Mitchell had a shoulder injury from a fall and was taken to hospital.
"A 78-year-old man has been arrested for grievous bodily harm and has been released on bail until September 4."
