Teenager savagely assaulted

A teenager was knocked unconscious after a savage assault in Rochdale.

The 18-year-old left the Plough Inn on Oldham Road with a group of friends and went into the Kebabish takeaway at about 0.40am on Saturday 20 December 2008.

The victim and his friends were then confronted by a group of men and women.

The offender gang chased the victim and his friends towards the Plough Inn, where the teenager was caught and punched to the floor. While lying defenceless, he was repeatedly punched, knocking him unconscious.

The gang then ran off up Oldham Road.

The victim had to be treated in hospital following the attack, having suffered a broken jaw and a fractured cheekbone.

Police are now appealing to anyone who witnessed the incident to come forward.

The offending gang are described as white and aged between 16 and 20 years old.

Detective Constable Nick Price, from Rochdale CID, said: "The victim was subjected to a horrific and brutal attack that left him unconscious. He was treated in hospital for a broken jaw and a fractured cheekbone but the ferocity of the attack was such he could have sustained even more serious injuries.

"There appears to be no provocation for this frenzied attack and I would appeal to anyone who has information that will help us trace the culprits to come forward.

"There would have been a lot of people leaving the pub at that time and somebody must have seen something. If you did, please call us."

Anyone with information should call Rochdale CID on 0161 856 1977 or the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111