SAMARITANMAY HOLD THE KEY (From Warrington Guardian)

SAMARITANMAY HOLD THE KEY

A GOOD Samaritan could hold the key to a vicious assault on a man in the Greenfields Estate in Winsford, as detectives try to uncover the circumstances leading up to the attack.

The 36-year-old victim is being treated for head injuries in the intensive care unit of Leighton Hospital, but has still not regained consciousness following the assault, which happened at around 2am on Saturday.

Passers-by discovered the Winsford man's slumped body in Manor Square after the attack, but police believe that one man - who noticed the victim standing against a wall before he collapsed - may hold vital information.

Det Insp Ian Goodwin, of Northwich CID, said: "Somebody out there knows what has happened. But the witness we have at the moment is in hospital after being attacked.

"There are head injuries but we are not sure how they were caused. The man also suffered breathing difficulties but we believe these arose when he was unconscious after the assault.

"We are basically waiting for the injured man to come around before we can speak to him - we believe that he was assaulted in Manor Square but we cannot be sure."

A police spokesman said that detectives wanted to speak to anyone who saw the man in the Manor Square area prior to him being found at 2am.

He added: "Police would like to appeal to one person in particular who we believe has assisted the victim.

"The good Samaritan is described as being about 18 or 19 years old, approximately 5ft 10in, clean shaven and was wearing a beige tracksuit with a blue horizontal stripe across his chest.

"This person may be able to assist us in piecing together the injured man's movements before he was found."

The victim is approximately 5ft 10in, of stocky build and with short brown hair, grown slightly longer on top.

He was wearing a green top, white T-shirt, blue jeans and dark trainers at the time of the attack.

Anyone who can help police with their inquiries should call Northwich CID on 01244 613233 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111, where information can be left in confidence.

rfraser@guardiangrp.co.uk