Man has nose and cheekbone broken in serious assault

A seventeen-year-old man is in hospital with a suspected broken nose and fractured cheekbone after being attacked as he enjoyed a night out with friends in Rochdale Town Centre.

In the early hours of Saturday 21 December, a dispute broke out in the Yates Wine Lodge, Packer Street. A short time later the victim left the pub and was attacked outside before being chased up nearby steps heading out onto Church Lane. The victim was then seriously assaulted, during which he was kicked and stamped to the head.

He was subsequently taken to Hope Hospital, Manchester where he remains in a stable condition.

The male responsible has initially been described as being 'white, short black hair, wearing a grey hooded top'.

DC Russ Clarke said: "The victim has been badly beaten and I would ask anybody with information or who witnessed any of the three stages of this incident to contact the police on 0161 856 9961 or alternatively using crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

"The male who has committed this offence clearly poses a danger to the public and we need to know exactly who he is so he can be questioned regarding his actions."  

"I also want to take this opportunity to remind everyone who will be out socialising in the town centre that violence such as a push or one punch can lead to the loss of life, as happened earlier this year involving Wesley Clutterbuck.

"Anyone drinking in the town centre needs to consider their limits and think twice before using violence of any nature."