12:55pm Wednesday 9th July 2008
By Andrew Greaves
Detectives in Preston are appealing for witnesses to an unprovoked attack which left a 43-year-old man with serious facial injuries.
The incident occurred on Brook Street at around 12.30am on Tuesday, July 8 when a group of five young men approached the man who was walking home following an evening out with friends.
Initially they approached the victim asking if he had a light for a cigarette, and when he replied he did not smoke one of the group punched him in the face.
Then, as the victim attempted to run, he was tripped and fell to the floor where members of the group began kicking him about the head and upper body demanding that he given them his money.
They then snatched his wallet, described as a large brown leather wallet, £10 in cash, a credit card and driving licence, fleeing onto a local housing estate.
The offenders are described as a group of five white men, all wearing dark sports clothing, aged about 16 to 17 years, all around five foot five to five foot six inches tall, one with short dark hair, the others possibly wore black scarves or balaclavas.
Det Sgt Steve Ryder, of Preston CID, said: “This was a despicable unprovoked attack upon an innocent man walking home from an evening out with friends. I would appeal to anyone who saw anything at or around the time or perhaps heard a group of young men walking or running down their street around 12.30am on Tuesday morning to contact the investigation team.
“The victim sustained serious bruising to his face and body but given the sustained nature of the attack is lucky not to have suffered serious life changing injuries.
“This was a disgusting cowardly attack and once we have traced the people responsible, they will face the prospect of a lengthy custodial sentence. This sort of behaviour will not be tolerated in Preston.”
Anyone with any information is asked to call the investigation team on 203203 or Crimestoppers, free and in confidence, on 0800 555 111.
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