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Man brutally assaulted

18/ 3/2008

A MAN was brutally assaulted as he walked home from a party.

The 22-year-old man was walking home on Oldham Road, near to the junction with Woodbine Street, at about 3am on Saturday, March 15, when he was approached by a group of up to six youths.

The gang punched him and began kicking him while he lay defenceless on the ground. The youths, who are believed to be white teenagers wearing sports kit, then fled.

Officers attended and found the victim covered in blood. He suffered a broken eye socket, a broken wrist, a broken nose, smashed teeth and serious bruising to the face and had to be taken to Rochdale Infirmary to be treated for his injuries.

It is believed there were a number of witnesses from the Prince Albert pub, which is directly opposite where the attack took place, who saw what happened and police are appealing for those people to come forward.

Detective Constable Sam Halligan, from Rochdale CID, said: "The victim suffered very nasty injuries. His attackers really set upon him and his injuries could have been even worse. It only takes one act of aggression that goes too far before we are dealing with a fatality.

"It is not just the physical injuries which have caused the victim a great deal of distress. There is also the emotional damage which will take a long time to get over.

"There were a lot of drinkers in the Prince Albert pub who saw what happened and there were also customers in a nearby kebab shop and passing motorists who might have seen the attack.

"I would urge anyone who saw what happened to come forward and help us with our investigation."

Anyone with information is asked to call Rochdale CID on 0161 856 4646 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.