A REMAIN campaigner has spoken of her shock after a man charged at and physically attacked her as she was handing out pro-EU leaflets.

Grandmother Victoria Fisher, 68, who is only 5ft tall, was in Swindon town centre last weekend when the incident happened.

Her attacker ran towards her shouting and swearing anti-EU abuse before kneeing her in the legs, causing large bruising to her thighs. Police are investigating the incident.

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She told the Adver: “He barged into me and stood one inch from my face.

“Then he grabbed me and used his knees to bash into my legs and ran off.

“I’m only small and he wasn’t that tall, but it was quite quick and I was very shaken afterwards.”

She said she fears further escalation of violence in the coming weeks in the lead-up to Brexit.

“I think there will an element of this, especially in the weeks ahead,” she added. “I hope it doesn’t get worse.

“This is the sort of thing that shows how divided we are already.”

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Although the Remain camp in Swindon says it has grown used to verbal abuse from passers-by this is the first time a physical, unprovoked attack has been reporte.

Fellow campaigner Steve Rouse said Victoria had been targeted before: “We’ve seen her standing up to giant shouting men, towering over her calling her a traitor to her country, demanding that she be jailed or even hanged, just for arguing against Brexit and had to pull her away.”

He said: “She was shaken and bruised by this attack but not deterred. Unfazed, she refused to stop handing out leaflets.”

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The attacker appeared to be unconnected with the Swindon Yellow Vest group which held its first demonstration last month.There have been regular stand-offs between them and supporters of Swindon For Europe.

A Wiltshire Police spokeswoman said: “We received a report of an assault which occurred in the town centre, outside the Brunel Shopping Centre on March 2 at approximately 11am. A 68-year-old woman was assaulted by a man and sustained bruising to her leg.”

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The man is described as white, approximately 5ft 5ins, of stocky build and aged in his 40s, with short black hair and glasses. Anyone with information can call 101.

She added: “We absolutely support the right for people to protest lawfully but this must be done in a peaceful manner. We continue to monitor the situation and will not tolerate disorderly or violent behaviour.”