Teen Flying Kicks 74-Year-Old Man Into Freezing River, Apologizes Outside Court

A teen boy who "karate-style flying kicked" a 74-year-old man into a freezing river has publicly apologized to his victim.

18-year-old Benjamin Bridgeman of Warrington, England, filmed a video apology outside Warrington Magistrates Court on Thursday, May 20, after pleading guilty to assault by beating in relation to the April 25 incident.

"Obviously, I’m very sorry and that, you know, it wasn’t supposed to happen. I didn’t realize he was 74 years old," Bridgeman told reporters.

"Obviously everyone makes mistakes in life. Do you know what I mean? That’s the honest truth from the bottom of my heart. There’s not much I can say," he added.

A 15-year-old co-accused, who will not be named, also pleaded guilty to the assault. The minor is accused of filming the video of the assault and then later posting it on Snapchat, alongside a smiling emoji, reports the Liverpool Echo.

In the video, Bridgeman is seen flying kicking a pensioner standing on the banks of River Mersey. The elderly man falls face-first into the freezing river in front of him.

Laughing can be heard as the accused duo flees the scene.

Two 14-year-old schoolgirls, Ellie Hughes, and Khloe Woods were walking down the river bank when they heard someone screaming for help. The girls rushed to the man’s aid and pulled him out of the water, the outlet reported.

The elderly man reportedly sustained a cut to his face. He walked home "freezing cold" and narrated his ordeal to his family, who then reported the incident to the police.

"This was a shocking and upsetting incident which has understandably left the gentleman shaken," Sergeant Mark Spaven of Warrington Local Policing Unit said.

"He returned home freezing cold and had sustained a cut to his face due to banging his head as he fell into the water," Spaven added.

The elderly man was treated for his injuries and is currently reported to be in good health.

In a Victim Personal Statement, the man’s wife said her husband "believes he could have drowned that day if it had not have been for the young girls that helped him out".

A CPS spokesperson added: "She says he has changed since the attack and has become aggressive, depressed, and is reluctant to go out."

Both teenagers are due back in court for a sentencing hearing in June.

"Back in court in three weeks so everyone will see me get sentenced then which I know that’s what everybody wants," Bridgeman told reporters outside the court.

"So, you’ll see me do my time which I deserve, and yeah man sorry for what I’ve done and that is it," he said.