Pensioner 'feared he would die' when thug kicked him in to River Mersey Devastating impact on 74-year-old victim revealed as laughing thugs who carried out and filmed sickening attack plead guilty in court 12:16, 20 MAY 2021 Updated A 74-year-old man was kicked into the River Mersey on Sunday, April 25 (Image: UGC) A 74-year-old man who was fly-kicked and catapulted into the River Mersey as laughing thugs filmed the attack said he thought he was going to die. A court was told the shocking attack has left the man "aggressive, depressed" and reluctant to leave his house. Disturbing footage, which the ECHO has chosen not to publish, showed a man dressed in a black gilet kicking the pensioner with force as he stood on the bank of the Mersey.