Police appeal for information after an alleged assault in Sunderland
A 31-year-old man is in a critical but stable condition in hospital
Officers investigating an alleged assault in Sunderland have appealed to the public for information.
Shortly after 8.10pm on Saturday (July 30), police received a report of a suspected assault on Newbottle Street in Houghton-le-Spring via the ambulance service.
It was alleged that a 31-year-old man had been on the street when he was approached by another man he did not know. For reasons yet to be established, the man has then punched the victim in the head twice, causing him to fall to the ground.
The victim was taken to hospital with serious head injuries and remains in a critical but stable condition. The offender has then reportedly fled the scene on foot, and the incident was reported to police.
"An appalling attack"
An investigation was launched and a 33-year-old man was arrested and has since been charged with wounding with intent to commit Grievous Bodily Harm (GBH). He was due to appear before magistrates in South Tyneside today (Monday).
Enquiries are ongoing and officers are now appealing to the public for any information which might assist.
Detective Inspector Neal Craig, of Northumbria Police, said:
“This is an appalling attack and we are committed to bringing effective justice against anybody found to have been involved.
“Our investigation is well underway as we look to understand the full circumstances around what has happened, and swift action has already been taken with a suspect due to appear before the courts.
“We know this is a busy location and we therefore believe several people may have witnessed this assault. I am asking those people who were in the area to get in touch.
“If you think you may know any information that can assist our investigation, or perhaps have any footage such as CCTV or dashcam that could prove useful, then we want to hear from you.”
Anyone with information is asked to contact police via the ‘Tell Us Something’ page of the police website or by calling 101 quoting crime reference number 089368Y/22.
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