Vancouver police say a man who they believe was captured by smartphone footage paying cash to kick another man in the groin earlier this week on Granville Street has come forward.

While a person has the right to consent to being hit, said VPD Sgt. Randy Fincham in a Thursday press release, the actions that led up to and followed the kick are now being investigated as a criminal offence.

"Taking advantage of another person with the promise of money to compensate them for injury is distasteful and extremely concerning," said Fincham in the release.

He said the man who came forward to police is cooperating with investigators. Police have identified the two men who appeared to have been kicked.

In video footage that was posted to YouTube and later removed, a man repeatedly tries to kick another man in the groin while asking him if he "wants his f — ing money." Then a second man steps forward and says, "I'll do it," and the heavy-set assailant does the same to the next man.

After several attempts, a heavy blow hits the man square in the groin. As the victim reels backward from the punt, the assailant can be seen chasing the victim across the street, where he falls to the ground. Then the video stops.

Prominent busker Jens (Spoons) Petersen, who told The Sun he knew the victim, was standing near The Roxy nightclub when the commotion began.

He said the assailant had paid the victim to kick him as was agreed. But after he chased and caught up with the fleeing victim, he said the assailant took back the money.

Riley Speers, who posted the footage to YouTube, told The Sun it all took place around 3 a.m. when the clubs let out.

Speers said he did not believe the assailant came out of The Roxy, but rather approached the area alone from somewhere down Granville Street. He said he thought the man did take back the money he paid before he left the area.

Several other people are depicted on the footage watching as the victims received kicks. Some shot footage on their phones.

Sgt. Fincham said police now want to speak to any witnesses and asked for videos taken of the incident to be shared with investigators.

Anyone who has not yet spoken to police can call Vancouver Police Department at (604) 717-3321 or Crime Stoppers at 1 (800) 222-8477.

With files from The Canadian Press

mattrobinson@vancouversun.com

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