Local man blames a ‘lack of discipline for the younger generation’ after being attacked in Cheadle

Royston Able was attacked by a young man in the early hours of Saturday morning in Cheadle village last month and blames a lack of discipline for the youth of today.

Able, 56, who works at the Cheadle High Street branch of Sainsbury’s, had his earphones in on his journey to work when another man approached him and attacked. 

The attack happened between the hours of 6:15am and 6:30am at the junction of Dryden Avenue and Tennison Road. 

“I was walking to work listening to music from my phone when a male on his own grabbed my shirt in an attempt to get me down to the floor, but I wasn’t going down.

Luckily Able was considerably taller than the offender and managed to defend himself.

“I broke free and gave him a right hook in self-defence and he took off in the direction of Councillor Lane”

Able is unsure of the offenders age but feels as though he was young. He is described as “tall, about 5ft 11”, wearing a dark, camouflage hooded top with dark trousers”. 

Able also explained how he thinks the man had a goatee beard but was unsure as he had his hood up in an attempt to cover his face.

“Anti-social behaviour is becoming more frequent around Cheadle and it is becoming fearful for people to go out, especially in the evening”, Able explained.

“These kids have nothing to do at home, they get up to mischief with their friends, hang around in groups and have no discipline”, he answered when asked why he thinks more youths are taking part in criminal activities.

The local police were informed but this was through Roy’s wife Alison, as he initially did not want to contact the authorities.

Alison Able, 53, expresses why she felt as though it was important to contact the police even though her husband had expressed against it.

“I didn’t care that Roy didn’t want to phone the police, what would have happened if the man had a knife or another weapon? What would have happened if Roy wasn’t bigger than him?”, Alison explained that these crimes need to be reported, no matter how big or small

“It could happen to anyone, it could happen to someone who isn’t able to defend themselves”.

Able emphasises the importance of young people having discipline in their life when asked about the introduction of a youth centre in the area.

“I think it could work, but I think they should bring back discipline to the younger generation. It’s always done me well”