Police appeal as attack victim fights for his life

Dec 10 2008 by Paul Loraine, The Journal

A MAN was fighting for his life last night after a one-punch attack in Newcastle city centre.

The 37-year-old victim was assaulted near the Co-op in Newcastle’s Newgate Street, near its junction with St Andrew’s Road, at around 9.15pm on Monday.

He hit his head on the pavement after being felled by one blow in a row with another man.

The victim was taken to Newcastle General Hospital with a serious head injury and remained in a critical condition last night.

Detectives investigating the attack have appealed for a suspect to come forward.

They have spoken to several witnesses in the area and are viewing CCTV footage, but made a specific appeal for the suspected offender to get in touch.

He was part of a group and was described as being white, in his mid to late 20s, 6ft, of stocky build, with short dark hair.

The man was wearing a dark jumper with a distinctive light-coloured diamond pattern on the front and jeans.

One of the people he was with was described as a woman in her mid 20s, 5ft 5in tall, petite with shoulder-length straight brown hair. She was wearing a purple party dress.

Detective Sergeant Paul Makepeace, who is leading the investigation, said: “I’d like to make a personal appeal for both of these people to come forward.

“We are keen to speak to the man about what happened to establish the full facts of the incident.

“We’ve got several witnesses who we are speaking to and we are following up several lines of enquiry, but I’d like to speak to this man and woman as a matter of urgency.

“The area was also quite busy at the time and I’d ask anyone who saw this incident to come forward as soon as possible as they may have information which is vital to the enquiry.”

Anyone with information should contact police on 03456 043043 or Crimestoppers anonymously on (0800) 555 111.