A CARING stranger has offered a £100 reward in a bid to bring thugs to justice.

Bridget Fordham was horrified by our front page story yesterday which told how 63-year-old Derek Bishop was attacked by a gang in Peacehaven.

One of the yobs punched him, breaking his jaw.

Ms Fordham, who lives in Peacehaven but does not know the family, said she was reduced to tears and wanted to offer £100 for information which leads to the arrest of the youngster who punched him.

The 66-year-old said: “I could not have children of my own, so when I saw the picture of the family all together it made me bawl my eyes out.

“It is so unfair that someone has done this.

“Derek has a beautiful wife and children and from what I gather they are a divine family.

“When I found out I couldn’t have children it took away the meaning of my life.

“If I can do anything to help this family then I will.”

Bridget, who lives in Ashington Gardens, described the attackers as cowards.

She said: “They wouldn’t do this if they were on their own. It is because they were in a group.

“Perhaps they would like to keep the picture of Derek laying on the floor to show their children one day.”

Bridget said she will up the reward by an extra £100 if necessary and the payment will be made when the attacker has been arrested.

She added: “I am in contact with them but I don’t want it to be too much for them.

“I’m sure they are inundated with messages at the minute so I am happy to sort the reward out when the attackers are found.”

Speaking after the attack Derek’s wife Alison Bishop, said: “I didn’t know what to do when it happened. I honestly thought he was dead because he was just laying on the floor out cold until the ambulance services arrived.

“I couldn’t even use my phone because I was in such shock. I just waved down a car and the couple in it got out and helped me call emergency services.”

Anyone with information is asked to call Sussex Police on 101 quoting 142 of June 17.