Sicko yob punches out old man in vile 'knockout game' as mates laugh

A TEEN accused of knocking out an old man in a sick game is demanding police protection.

Shocking footage shows a yob, egged on by his mates, approaching the man as he goes to cross the street.

Turning to his pal, who films the whole thing, he asks if he should knock him out – and gets the enthusiastic go-ahead.

With that, he swings round and slams his fist into the old man's face, sending him tumbling into the road as his mate laughs.

Posted on Facebook, the video has sent shockwaves across the world, but it was more attention than the attacker had counted on.

   SENSELESS: In the video a yob approaches an old man an punches him out while his 
   mates laugh

Kristian Gonzalez, 18, soon handed himself into police and now faces charges of aggravated assault and endangering an injured victim.

Now his attorney, Harley Breite, is asking that the teen be isolated at a juvenile detention centre for his safety.

And he says Gonzalez, who he claims has received death threats, should be tried as a child.

The attack unfolded in the American city of Paterson, New Jersey, on December 7 last year.

   OUT COLD: The old man is left unconscious in the street

Gonzalez turned 18 later that month and so was not yet an adult at the time of the assault.

"It would be grossly unfair to waive him up [as an adult] just because there is media attention to this case," said Breite.

Breite also claimed his client has schizophrenia, oppositional defiant disorder and ADHD, in remarks reported by local news site NJ.

"He doesn't understand why there's such a public outcry against him when not all of the facts have been released yet," the attorney said.

   IN THE DOCK: Kristian Gonzalez, pictured with attorney Harley Breite, faces criminal charges

Other reports have described the attack as a "knockout game" – where someone tries to beat someone unconscious with a single punch.

Similar footage showed the moment a homeless woman was punched out for the entertainment of a man and his pals behind the camera.

And an old lady was floored by a fellow shopper at a supermarket checkout, sustaining severe concussions and needing facial surgery.

   LAW AND ORDER: Police chief Jerry Speziale said the arrest should serve as a warning

Police chief Jerry Speziale said the arrest – and that of the 16-year-old who allegedly recorded the video – served as a warning.

"Don't you dare do this in our city," he said. "We will not tolerate it."

Both the accused have pleaded not guilty to the same charges, they will return to court on February 25.