Asperger's victim viciously assaulted

A man with Asperger Syndrome was left with a fractured arm after a vicious and unprovoked assault in Rochdale.

The attack happened outside the Wellfield Surgery at the junction of Woodbine Street and Oldham Road, where the victim was knocked to ground by a punch to the face and then kicked repeatedly in the head while he lay helpless on the ground.

The 44-year-old victim had just been to the Costcutters convenience store at about 7pm on Wednesday 25 March when the offender ran up behind him and launched the unprovoked assault.

A brave civilian chased the offender down Oldham Road onto Crawford Street but they could not catch him.

The offender is described as Asian, between 18 and 25 years old, about 5ft 6in to 5ft 8in tall and of average build. He was wearing a black hooded jacket, baggy dark blue jeans with a white logo on one pocket and trainers.

The victim suffered a large cut over his left eye and dislocated shoulder and fractured his arm in three places.

Police in Rochdale are now appealing to anyone who has information to come forward. Detectives are keen to speak to a woman who may have been waiting at the bus stop on Oldham Road at the time of the attack or a man using a telephone kiosk outside the Lloyds Pharmacy to come forward.

Detective Constable Amie Darnell, based at Rochdale CID, said: "This was an appalling, violent and totally unprovoked assault on a man who was minding his own business. The sheer level of violence this man resorted to was absolutely disgraceful and it would appear he made no effort to steal anything - it was just an act of mindless violence.

"I would urge anyone who has information to come forward and speak to us so we can find this man and give the victim, who suffered nasty injuries, some peace of mind after his horrific ordeal."

Anyone with information should call Rochdale CID on 0161 856 8443 or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.