Attacked pensioner given flower and fruit treat STAFF at Asda, Burnley, have presented a gift of fruit and flowers to attack victim Constantino Caginicola.

The 78-year-old was knocked to the ground and had his walking sticks pushed from under him as he tried to get back to his feet. He suffered a black eye and severe bruising to his face.

The incident happened on a trip to Burnley town centre when Mr Caginicola was leaving Lloyds TSB where he had been taking out money to buy Christmas presents for his three grandchildren. Gillian Lingard, events co-ordinator at the Burnley Asda store in Princess Way said: "We were shocked when we saw pictures of his bruised face.

"I didn't know his name but I recognised him and that it was dreadful that something like that could happen to him."

Gillian added: "He comes to the store regularly and we know him as active sellers Lia Leone and Fiona Burns help him because he is on sticks. Lia is Italian and they chat away together in Italian while we don't know what they are talking about."

She said they won a "Store in the community" award and were concerned about what was happening in the town. She said: "We were very upset at what has happened to Constantino."

Staff took fruit and flowers to his home in Hapton. Mr Caginicola said: "I am delighted they came. I shop there every Friday and have got to know a few of the girls. They are very good and it was so kind of them to see me."

He said he was now feeling a bit better ten days after the attack but was still shocked by what happened. "When I think about it I am disgusted." Mr Caginicola has lived in Britain for 51 years.

He said he loved the English people and that was why he stayed in the country. He added: "I love everyone and everyone likes me. I have never done anybody wrong and I cannot understand why anyone should do this to me."

He suffered a heart attack four years ago, just weeks after the death of his wife Mary. He uses two sticks because he suffers from osteoarthritis in both legs.

The incident happened in Manchester Road, Burnley, on Wednesday, November 21. His attacker is still at large.