Preying on the vulnerable

Homeless and down on his luck, Stephen Kettner was sleeping on a loading dock, catching a few precious hours before hitting the pavements of San Diego to find food and shelter once again.

But suddenly he was jolted awake, the sharp blade of a knife piercing his face, then agony ripped through him.

‘Because you’re a bum,’ he heard a man whisper into the night.

Stephen tried to chase after him but was slashed again, and his attacker fled.