Middleton man in life-threatening condition following assault

Detectives in Rochdale are appealing for witnesses after a man was found with serious head injuries at a house in Middleton in the early hours this morning, of Saturday 14 July.

The 49-year-old victim was discovered collapsed in his house on The Meadows by his next-door neighbour.

Paramedics arrived at the scene, and reported the assault to police at 3.15am.

The man was taken to Crumpsall Hospital where he has been admitted to the intensive care unit. However, it is likely that he will be moved to Hope Hospital soon.

He is in a life-threatening and critical condition.

Officers investigating this attempted murder would like to appeal to anybody who was in the area last night, and may have seen something they thought was suspicious, to come forward.

It is believed the assault could have happened sometime after 11.00pm.

Detective Chief Inspector Sam Haworth from the Major Incident Team said: "This was a sustained and violent assault which has left the victim with severe head injuries.

"We would urge anyone who might have been walking near to his house at about 11.00pm last night, perhaps having just left the pub, to contact us immediately if they think they saw anything suspicious.

"We can reassure the community that we are following a number of lines of inquiry in relation to this nasty assault, but would appeal to people for their help to find out who attacked this man."

Anyone with any information about this incident is asked to contact Rochdale CID on 0161 856 4644 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.