Man has wedding ring ripped from his finger

A 61-year-old man had his wedding ring ripped from his finger when he was attacked on Whitworth Road in Rochdale between 00.45am and 1am yesterday (7 December 2014).

He had been for a night out at the casino on Yorkshire Street and then went to a petrol station on Halifax Road to buy cigarettes. He then walked up Whitworth Road and was stood next to the JCB near to B&M Bargains when he heard two sets of footsteps behind him.

The man turned round to be confronted by the two offenders who launched into a vicious and unprovoked assault. He was pushed to the floor and pinned down, and as he lay defenceless he was repeatedly punched, kicked and stamped on while also being verbally berated.

His attackers then ripped his wedding ring from his finger and also stole the man's watch, cigarettes and keys before running off down Haynes Street.

Police are now appealing to anyone with information to come forward.

The first offender was described as being black, aged 20-22-years-old, 5ft 2in and of a thin, wirey build. He was wearing a soft black hat with a rim around it and black clothing. It is also possible he had dreadlocks.

The second offender was black, 20-22-years-old, 5ft 10in tall and of a thin build and wearing dark clothing.

Detective Constable Ruth Thompson said: "These two men were responsible for a vicious, brutal and totally unprovoked attack on a man who was minding his own business.

"Not content with subjecting him to a violent onslaught that involved pinning him down and stamping on his head, they also had the temerity to forcibly rip his wedding ring from his finger.

"That ring is unlikely to fetch much money on the black market but quite clearly has a huge sentimental and emotional value to the victim who is desperate for it to be returned to him.

"I want to appeal to anyone who witnessed this attack to come forward. Or, alternatively, if you know something or you suspect who may have been involved then please do the right thing and call us."

Anyone with information should call police on 101 or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111