Mr Whippy ice cream seller bashed and robbed after refusing to give away free soft serve

A Mr Whippy ice cream vendor has been beaten and robbed in New Zealand after he refused to give away free soft serve ice cream.

The man, who was selling ice cream in Bay of Plenty in the North Island, tried to drive the van away after a customer became restless over the fact that there would be no freebies, but before he had a chance the customer threw a bottle at him and leapt through the service window of the van.

The vendor was punched repeatedly, leaving the victim battered and bruised, Detective Darryn Gabb said.

Police are still searching for the thug who is described as being a male Maori aged approximately 16 to 20 years of age with a thin to medium build.

He was described as wearing a red woollen scarf covering his face, a dark hat and dark jacket.

The victim’s employer who refused to be named said he was horrified by the attack.

The franchise owner says he had been in the mobile ice cream industry for 20 years and has never heard of a vendor being attacked in his vehicle.