A shocking random act of violence spoilt the Olympic flame event for some in Pokesdown as a man went through the crowd assaulting people.

“I felt disgusted and sickened,” said Susan Field, 46, of Harcourt Road, who witnessed the unprovoked violence near Rosebery Road.

She was standing with friends and neighbours in Christchurch Road about five minutes before the torchbearer arrived, when she saw a man in his 20s tackle a woman riding her bicycle along the pavement, pushing her off her bike.

“He carried on, shoved an elderly lady nearby and then took a right hook to this guy.

“He absolutely floored him,” she said.

“He had a bloody nose and everything. He got himself up off the ground, chased after him and rugby tackled him.”

She said: “It was completely unprovoked.

“We were supposed to be getting into the Olympic spirit and this was going on. I just felt really sick.”

Dorset Police confirmed that a common assault was reported to them, officers attended the scene and searched for the man and enquiries were continuing.