Charities 'shocked' and 'horrified' at brutal attack of TV reality star with dementia

Dementia charities have said they are "shocked" and "horrified" at the brutal attack of a woman with dementia, who was punched in the face at a roadside cafe and left with a broken eye socket whilst wearing a badge saying, “I have Alzheimer’s please be patient”.

Joy Watson, aged 61, has dementia and, along with her husband Tony, is a committed campaigner for the Alzheimer’s Society and other charities. She also starred in the recent Channel 4 series The Restaurant That Makes Mistakes, featuring a pop-up restaurant staffed by people with dementia.

The incident happened after an altercation with a couple Ms Watson had approached whilst on holiday in East Yorkshire. She had gone to talk to them as she felt they were mistreating their dog.

After remonstrating with the man for kicking his dog, Ms Watson who is from Salford was hit and punched with such force that she fell on her back onto the concrete and had to go to hospital for treatment.

The attacker is still at large, and Humberside police have put out an appeal for information, stating: “We’re investigating after an alleged assault on a woman in a layby near Bracey Bridge on the A164 in East Yorkshire on Sunday 7 July.

“It happened around 10am. The victim who is in her 60s from the Manchester area saw what she’s reported as a man mistreating his dog. She confronted the individual who then allegedly assaulted her, leaving her with an eye and head injury which required hospital treatment.

“The suspect was with another woman who, after the incident, drove off towards Bridlington in a black coloured car, possibly a Hyundai. He has been described as in his 60s and wearing fawn and brown clothing. Did you witness anything? Can you help with our appeal? Please call us on 101 quoting reference 16/78234/19.”

Kathryn Smith, chief operating officer at Alzheimer’s Society, said: "We are shocked and saddened to hear about this appalling incident" and added: “Joy, along with her husband Tony, is a committed campaigner for Alzheimer’s Society, regularly speaking out on her own experiences of living with dementia.

“She is a passionate proponent of our dementia-friendly communities initiative and is a fantastic example of how life doesn't have to stop when dementia begins."

Young Dementia UK also denounced the attack, with the charity saying: "We were horrified to read about this shocking, unprovoked attack on dementia campaigner, Joy Watson. Joy from Salford has worked tirelessly to raise awareness since her diagnosis aged 55 and was one of the participants on the recent Channel 4 series, The Restaurant That Makes Mistakes."

Joy Watson was also the face of 2014's Manchester Memory Walk, has been on BBC Breakfast and the new Victoria Derbyshire show on BBC TWO.