Youths Attack Man for Refusing to give them a Cigarette

Police officers

Detectives in Rochdale are appealing for witnesses to an assault and robbery on Friday night, 22 October 2004, which left a man with serious injuries to his head and right ear. At around 10.00pm the 38-year-old man from Heywood was walking home after a night out.

As he walked underneath the Pot Hall bridge at the bottom of Newhouse Road, near to St Josephs School, he was approached by a group of around 10-15 youths all believed to be aged in their late teens. A boy within the group asked the man for a cigarette, when he refused to hand one over he felt a blow to his right ear which was followed by a further blow to the back of his head rendering him unconscious.

When he came to he was lying on the floor in a pool of blood and he realised that his necklace and watch were missing - all of the youths had disappeared. The 38-year-old managed to get himself home where a family member took him to the Fairfield General Hospital. He received stitches to his head and part of his right ear had to be glued back on. The man was released from hospital the following day and he is now recovering at home.

Detective Constable Joe Clarke who is investigating the attack said, "This man was subjected a nasty and totally unprovoked attack which has left him with serious injuries. "It is thought that the motive for the attack was robbery as the man had a 21 inch gold chain and a silver coloured Raymond Weil 'Tango' watch taken from him as he lay unconscious on the pavement."

The watch is one of only 100 that are currently in circulation and is particularly distinctive with a white face and a slim line silver strap. "I am asking for anyone who may know anything at all about this attack to please contact me. In particular I would like to speak to any jewellers that may have been offered either the chain or the watch. I can be contacted at the CID office at Rochdale on 0161 856 8753 or via Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111."