Man with Down's syndrome who was assaulted tells of how he forgave attacker (From News Shopper)

Man with Down’s syndrome, called a freak & punched in the face in Dartford, tells of how he forgave his attacker

9:39am Tuesday 12th July 2011 in News By Abigail Woodcock

Christopher with his mother, Monica

A MAN with Down’s syndrome who was left traumatised after being punched in the face in Dartford town centre tells of how he forgave his attacker.

Committed Christian Christopher Diedo of Lavinia Road, Dartford, was called a freak before being assaulted in front of his parents last April.

But the 26-year-old’s belief in forgiveness prompted him to shake hands with his attacker when he was approached by him in the street around six weeks after the incident.

Last week, Christopher and his father, Andrew, spoke to News Shopper for the first time about the ordeal.

Andrew said: “The assault shook us as a family and left us more protective of Christopher.

“We were less willing to give him his own space when he was out and about.

“A confidence that had been built up painstakingly over the years had been shattered in a moment of cruelty, ignorance and rage.”

Mr Diedo says his son, who also has severe learning difficulties and speech problems, was left so traumatised by the attack, he tried to leave home several times for fear the man would find him and burn down their house.

But Christopher, a keen photographer with numerous awards under his belt, says his faith in God encouraged him to forgive and move on.

He said: “I shook the man's hand because I think that's what an angel would do - they'd forgive.

“I wasn't scared or worried then because I was with my mum and dad and the man seemed different.”

Mr Diedo says he was inspired by his son’s actions, having struggled to forgive the man himself.

The retired teacher said: “I felt humbled by my son’s readiness to forgive and move on and in an instant remembered what was called for and what I should have done first as a Christian and the head of my family, forgive the man and shake his hand, which I then did.

“It was left to our son with learning difficulties to show us the right way forward.”

Christopher and Andrew were inspired by a passage from Ecclesiastes to forgive.

It reads: "Resentment and anger, these are foul things and both are found with the sinner.

“Forgive your neighbour the hurt he does you and when you pray, your sins will be forgiven.”

In March, a 25-year-old man from Bexleyheath was jailed for 170 days after pleading guilty to common assault.

Shopper Heroes

News Shopper is delighted to launch Shopper Heroes, a fantastic competition to recognise and reward the true heroes in our community.

Christopher has been nominated for the award. Watch out for a full list of nominees.