POLICE are expected to investigate an alleged ‘happy slapping’ attack which has been posted on internet video sharing site YouTube. It shows a youth being viciously punched for no apparent reason while walking in Market Square.

He then picks up a road sign as if to retaliate, but was talked out of doing so by passer-by Mike Ozanne, who was stunned that the incident, which happened late in January was on the internet.

It probably took place on the 27th and was posted on YouTube on the 29th. It has been viewed more than 1,200 times.

(The video clip is no longer avaliable.)

The clip was drawn to the Guernsey Press’s attention following a similar incident reported by the newspaper last week.

Mr Ozanne said he did not know that the episode was being filmed, but he suspects it might have been done by one of two youngsters who were standing a few metres further up Market Street.

The video appears to have been taken on a camera phone by someone who was walking from the Mill Street direction.

A youth’s voice can be heard saying: ‘I’m recording it’.

As he gets near a group of people by St Pierre Coffee Lounge, the youth who was attacked can be seen walking from the pavement.

As the youth passes the group, someone in a white hooded top, it is not clear if it is a girl or a boy, pushes him backwards to the ground and into a road sign leaning against the Markets building.

He gets up and approaches his assailant at which point he is knocked to the ground again by a vicious right-handed punch.

The noise of the blow landing can be heard on the video.

The victim then picks up the sign and approaches his assailant, at which point Mr Ozanne intervenes.

He did not see the whole incident from his seat in the cafe and moved to prevent the youth, who it later turned out had been the victim of the attack, from using the sign.

The video was brought to the police’s attention yesterday by the Guernsey Press.

‘It’s difficult to tell whether it was a happy slap attack,’ said Superintendent Ian Morellec.

‘But nonetheless the act itself was clearly quite an ugly incident in Market Street. It looks like an afternoon and a busy day in St Peter Port. To see an incident like that must have been quite alarming.’

Asked whether it was right for Mr Ozanne to intervene, Supt Morellec said it was an incident whereby a person would have to make a split-second decision.

‘Clearly the gentleman who did so looked capable and confident of dealing with the incident. It looked like the youth took stock of what he was saying.’

Supt Morellec said that without a date, it was hard to confirm whether the incident had been reported, but did not rule out more investigations.

‘It’s of concern if someone picks up a temporary sign to use as a weapon in retaliation. An act like that is not acceptable.’

* A girl was filmed being attacked in Les Canichers last Sunday. Police said investigations were ongoing.