Jatin Pudaruth: Crosswalk attendant’s attacker pleads guilty to cowardly act near Rossmoyne Primary School

Shocking photos of injuries suffered by an 87-year-old school traffic warden when he was pushed to the ground by a stranger have been released by his family after his attacker admitted to the cowardly crime. Jatin Pudaruth, 18, appeared in Armadale Magistrates Court on Monday after detectives charged him with assault of a public officer and stealing of a hat and whistle from Rossmoyne Primary School’s beloved lollipop man. Known to locals as “Colin,” the elderly crosswalk attendant was working at a crossing on Third Avenue, when he was pushed by Pudaruth just before 9am on May 19. His attacker then stole his hat and whistle before fleeing in a car. Pudaruth, from Shelley, was arrested and charged the following day. He pleaded guilty to both offences at his first court appearance and will return to court on July 14 for sentencing. Colin’s family told 7NEWS on Monday that the 87-year-old suffered serious injuries including a brain bleed, broken collarbone and bruising across his body. They thanked Cannington police, St John of God Murdoch and the community for their assistance and well wishes following the incident. Pudaruth, represented by defence lawyer Mark Andrews, didn’t respond to questions outside court on Monday, when he emerged hiding his face behind sunglasses and a face mask. Local parents and teachers filled in for the traffic warden after he was seriously injured. It is understood he has not returned to work and is expected to stay away from work for months. Aisha Puchert, whose seven-year-old son Zach attends Rossmoyne Primary, was among those who stepped up to fill in for the warden after the attack. “It’s really terrible. We love Colin, he’s been here for years. It’s devastating that something like that could happen at all, especially here in Rossmoyne where we think it’s so safe and secure,” she told The West in May. Ms Puchert said the incident had shaken the school community. “Thinking something like this could happen here is just absolutely horrible. We don’t want to have to watch our kids with hawk eyes, but it’s not so nice,” she added. She said the school community was rallying behind Colin and couldn’t wait to see him back on his feet. City of Canning councillor Shen Sekhon was also at the school in the afternoon. She said she was “appalled”. “Traffic wardens play such an important role in our community, particularly in keeping our kids safe. I’ve got three children myself, and I know the difficulty in trying to recruit and retain traffic wardens,” she said.