A man in Manchester punched a five-day-old baby in the head and then apologised by saying he thought it was a doll.
The 63-year-old man approached Amy Duckers at a Tescos supermarket in Wythenshawe, close to Manchester, while she was proudly showing off her newborn daughter Elsie Rose.
Amy Duckers was showing off her newborn daughter when the attack happened. Photo: FacebookIt was the first time her mother had taken her out since giving birth.
"He ran over and punched Elsie Rose in the face leaving a very big fist mark shape across her forehead," the distraught mother told the Manchester Evening News.
"We were mortified, my daughter was screaming thinking he had killed the baby.
“He then just apologised and said ‘sorry I thought it was a doll!”
Little Elsie Rose, who weighs just 3kg, was rushed to hospital and kept overnight for observation before being released back home.
"I just can not believe it happened and neither can anyone else. It has really put me off taking her out again," Mrs Duckers said.
The assailant was arrested by Manchester police and detained for questioning.