Recent heart bypass patient slashed with machete in Middleton

A man who was in recovery from a quadruple heart bypass was viciously assaulted and slashed with a machete during an attack in Middleton on New Year's Day.

The victim required 20 metal staples in a seven inch gash in his right shoulder. He had undergone heart bypass surgery in March last year and, following complications, was still recovering at the time of the attack.

Detective Constable Damien McLaughlin from Rochdale CID said: "This was a vicious attack that could have had fatal consequences for the victim.

"It would appear that this man was in the wrong place at the wrong time when this incident happened and he has been lucky that his injuries weren't more serious."

The 52-year-old was walking along Springvale in Middleton at 3.30am on New Year's Day when he was approached from behind by a man carrying a machete and struck to the shoulder.

The victim turned to see his attacker pull the machete back to hit him again but managed to run away before he was able to do so.

He made his way onto Market Street in Middleton Town Centre where he stopped a member of the public and asked for help. This person contacted an ambulance and the man was taken to North Manchester General Hospital.

The offender is described as slim, around 5ft9in tall and was wearing a mask or face covering and dark coloured clothing. It is believed he was 16-18-years-old and wore black trainers with white piping around the bottom. "We need the public's help to make sure this person is caught before he can hurt anyone else," said DC McLaughlin.

Anyone with any further information on this incident is asked to contact Rochdale CID on 0161 856 4557 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.