THE image on today’s front page is truly shocking.

But we make no apology for putting it there.

It shows the barbarity of the attack unleashed on Derek Bishop in the early hours of Saturday morning.

The granddad was minding his own business when he was approached by a gang of yobs.

At first it was just verbal abuse, mocking Mr Bishop’s height. But before long he was on the end of a horrific, violent attack.

He was repeatedly punched and knocked to the ground.

By the time the cowards had finished Mr Bishop was out cold, with blood splattered on the pavement.

The group of boys walked off laughing.

He was fortunate to only have suffered a gashed head and fractured jaw.

We have all read the tragic stories of young men being killed by one punch.

It only takes someone to fall back and hit their head on the pavement.

How could someone, let alone a group, attack a defenceless grandfather like this?

Mr Bishop stands at only 4ft 10in; he is hardly a threat to anyone.

There is absolutely nothing to justify such an attack.

It is upsetting to say the least.

But, we just have to remind ourselves that the idiots are in the minority.

Hopefully Derek will make a speedy recovery and his physical and mental scars will heal.

We implore anyone who has any information about those who attacked him to come forward.

They need to be brought to justice.