A BUSINESSMAN has offered to bump up the reward to £2,000 to help find those who mocked a man over his height and then attacked him.

Graham Bell, managing director of a Newhaven business, was left incensed when he read about the brutal attack on 63-year-old Derek Bishop in The Argus earlier this week.

Derek was a former employee of Mr Bell’s, who could not believe what he was reading.

Mr Bell, 68, said: “Every day when you pick up a paper and read about bad things it gets to you.

“I was so angry when I saw this about Derek, and wondered what I could do to help.

“Hopefully by increasing the reward I can help bring justice and find the people who did this as quickly as possible.”

Derek was mocked by a gang of youths on his way home from a night out with his wife.

They swore at him and ridiculed his height, then one member of the clan punched him, leaving him with a fractured jaw and a gash to his head.

“Derek worked for me for a couple of years and moved on about a year ago,” Mr Bell said.

“He is remembered as a diligent and reliable worker and is well thought of by us.”

All staff that knew him are upset by what happened to him and wish to see the perpetrators receive suitable punishment.”

Speaking of the attack, Mr Bell said: “What they did to Derek was terrible. The people who did this need to be brought to the book over it.”

This comes in light of Bridget Fordham offering a £100 reward. Ms Fordham urged for people to come forward with details of the attackers despite not knowing Derek, as reported in The Argus on June 21.

Mr Bell, originally from Brighton, said: “Hopefully natural justice will be done through offering a more substantial reward.

“Maybe a bigger offer will make people come forward with some information about the attackers.”

Derek had two metal plates put in to support his jaw. He was taken to Royal Sussex County Hospital, and then transferred to East Grinstead’s Queen Victoria where he was operated on.

Derek is now out of hospital and recovering, but is struggling to control the swelling and pain of his injuries.

His wife Alison Bishop said: “We are just so grateful for all the support and generosity we’ve received from everyone.”

Speaking about the incident, which happened in the early hours Alison said: “I honestly thought he was dead because he was just laying on the floor out cold.”