Police hunting for '˜Minecraft Steve' attacker who assaulted woman in shopping centre

A woman dressed in a video game costume to help promote a recent event says she was assaulted by a man in a Castleford shopping centre.
Natalie in her video game Minecraft Steve costume moments before she was assaulted.Natalie in her video game Minecraft Steve costume moments before she was assaulted.
Natalie in her video game Minecraft Steve costume moments before she was assaulted.

Natalie Gosney was at Carlton Lanes and dressed as Minecraft Steve, a character from the popular game Minecraft, when she was punched in the face in an unprovoked attack.

The 34-year-old runs Savage Beast Events, the firm behind the recent Comic Con convention at Castleford Civic Centre, and was promoting the event.

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Natalie was walking near to the entrance, next to Gordon’s Florists, when said she felt the punch land to her head.

Natalie, who is from Barnsley and only 5ft 4ins tall , said: “I had no idea who or what hit me, then I heard this female voice say ‘What did you do that for?’

“The visibility is so small you can only see through a small hole so I didn’t see anything. I just felt this huge thwack to the front part of the head.

“I was told that this man just walked through the doors, straight up to me and punched me and walked off.

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“I wasn’t injured because of the foam padding of the costume but it shocked me. It’s the first time we’ve known any aggression towards us.

“I think it’s made me more vigilant, we can’t stop doing it because it’s an important part of a comic con convention.”

Police have appealed for anyone who saw the suspect, who is described as being in his 50s, with short or balding hair and wearing a red football shirt.

It happened at about 1.15pm on Saturday, June 30.

Inspector Martin Moizer of the Castleford Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: “This was an unprovoked assault on a woman who was going about business for her employer.

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“Given the distinctive costume the victim was wearing when she was attacked we do believe anyone present when it took place will remember what occurred.”

Call 101 referencing crime number 13180318961 if you have details.

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