Kirsty Gallacher bravely opens up on being a victim of a vicious attack, being ‘kicked like a football’ on her way home from work.
The former Sky Sports presenter says she was physically assaulted in central London around 7pm while walking from work to her car on a lit street with people around.
A stranger dressed in black brushed past her, turned, and kicked her hard like a football before fleeing, leaving her bruised and shocked despite her vigilance and lack of provocation.
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As can be seen in her Instagram video, she said: “Hello, good evening, hope you’re all well. Listen, I just wanted to jump on here to talk about something I feel is very important. I think it’s important to share.
“Last night, I was physically assaulted in the streets of central London. Walking from work to my car, the walk I do most nights, the streets were lit, there were people around.
“I was walking on the pavement and I noticed this guy, all in black, covered up actually, just walking at me. And I’m always vigilant and he was just walking towards me and I thought, is not right.
“So I moved out of the way and then he brushed past me, he turned around and he kicked me like he was kicking a football. He kicked me in the middle of a street.
“At about seven o’clock last night in front of people, I turned around and he scarpered.
“I’m still shocked now and I have the bruises to prove, I’m afraid. I can’t quite believe what happened. I was not being provocative in any way. I was just going about my business as you do. I was just walking to my car to go back home to my family.
“I luckily had some witnesses, some lovely girls saw it and came to my aid. There was a security guard on a door nearby who was absolutely useless and didn’t do anything, which was hugely disappointing.
“And I just stood there and I couldn’t actually believe that someone, a stranger, has just decided for whatever reason, whether he’s got a problem with women, whether he’s just an opportunist.
“He decided he did not like me and he just thought, nah, I’ll give you the boot. And that is not okay. It’s not okay. It’s not okay.
“It’s really sad that that is what’s going on on the streets of London. And that is very real. And we all hear about it, don’t we? All hear like, oh yeah, you know, be careful, don’t have your phone out.
“And people being sadly, you know, mugged or worse, you know, awful, awful things going on. And you always think it’s not going to happen to me. And that was me.
“I thought, I’m very vigilant. I’m very careful. I’m very careful of where, how I’m walking and you know, make sure that I don’t have my phone in my hand, that I have like a cross body bag and I’m not holding anything out.
“But actually I couldn’t have done more to protect myself and still that happened to me. Someone decided to just give me a good kicking in the street.
“And I really wanted to share it with you because this is happening all the time and it’s not good and it’s not all right.
“And I want you to really be careful and vigilant and look after yourselves and look after those around you.
“And I’m very grateful to those lovely girls. Hopefully they’ll see this. They might see this, but thank you because you’re amazing because I didn’t know what to do in that moment. I was shocked. I’ve never experienced anything like it.
“And I just wanted to share it. And I really just wanted to say, stay safe. You might not think it’s going to happen to you, but it could be you. It was me. And it makes you think. That’s all. All right. Have a lovely evening.”
Social media users gave their thoughts with Kirsty Gallacher the victim of a vicious attack, being ‘kicked like a football’ on the way home from work…
angiegreaves: Kirsty …. I couldn’t believe it when you came in today and told me this. We were both chatting to each other before our shows finished yesterday. Wished each other a good evening and went on our way. This is how quickly things can happen. So glad you’re OK. Thanks for sharing this but please stay safe. LADIES …. please stay safe. Ax ❤️🙏🏾
benshephardofficial: Kirsty so so sorry to hear this. Sending tons of love and support
biancawestwood: So sorry this happened to you. It’s very frightening. Sending love ❤️
kellymariex_x: This brought me to tears seeing you well up. So brave speaking out thank you for thinking of everyone as such a tough time for you. ❤️ so glad you’re ok ❤️ scary world we live in these days xx
jennifalconer: Kirsty, this is awful. I’m so sorry you experienced this. And not okay. Big love to you. ❤️ xxx
jason_carl_fox: Ffs!
mcguinness.paddy: Hope you’re ok my love?
lisa_snowdon: Oh Kirsty I’m so angry and so utterly devastated that this happened to you. It’s horrific. I’m sending you a huge hug my love ❤️😢
o11yp: So sorry Kirsty. This is not okay. I hope you start to feel better as can imagine as well as physical, mentally it could feel even more damaging. Thanks for sharing
thomasgbryan: Well done for sharing. Massive big up for the girls!!! I know personally the kindness and positivity you bring. Everyone, let’s keep spreading love and calling out hatred and awful behaviour when we see it
loz_murison: So sorry this happened to you. What a shock it must have been 😢. Takes huge courage to send a message out, and we all stand with you. It is utterly horrific and not acceptable ever. Stay strong and sending love xx
therealwillgeddes: This is so awful. So pleased you’re ok albeit badly shaken. Well done to the women who came to support you – BUT where the hell were the male passers-by’s and that security guard doing nothing shames all us in that community and are proud to call ourselves that
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