Police Appeal 6 Months On From Vicious Attack
Kirk Hutchinson suffered life changing injuries during the assault in Bacup
Detectives have today (Friday, April 29) issued a renewed appeal for information six months after a man was brutally attacked in Bacup.
Kirk Hutchinson, 52, of Stacksteads, was left with life-changing injuries following an assault in the town last year.
During the evening of Monday, October 26, a number of phone calls were made to Lancashire Police reporting suspicious activity and disturbances in the Bacup area.
Around 6.50pm, a further call reported several males causing a disturbance in Gladstone Street.
Officers attended and found Mr Hutchinson lying on the pavement, unresponsive with major head injuries.
He was treated at the scene by paramedics and transported to Royal Preston Hospital where he was treated for a bleed on the brain.
The 52-year-old was later transferred to Salford Hospital in a critical condition and placed in a medically induced coma.
Detectives believe Mr Hutchinson was attacked by a group of men wearing dark clothing, scarves and balaclavas.
Police launched an initial appeal for information and arrested seven men aged between 20 and 33 on suspicion of Section 18 wounding and public order offences, as well as a 38-year-old woman for assisting an offender.
All were later released no charge and officers are now appealing for witnesses to come forward.
Det Insp Andy Cribbin, of Lancashire Police, said: “This was a particularly vicious and cowardly assault on a defenceless individual.
“Despite making some initial arrests, we have yet to charge those responsible for carrying out this attack.
“ix months on, this must change.
“Kirk Hutchinson was subjected to a brutal and sustained assault. His head injuries were so severe he needed surgery and was placed in a coma.
“He remains in hospital for treatment to his head injury and will probably need medical care for the rest of his life.
“We are appealing to the community to provide information which could help us with our investigation.
“We believe at least two people saw the attack and would ask them and any others to come forward with information.
“This was a savage and despicable assault and Mr Hutchinson deserves justice.”
Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 101 quoting log number 0445 of April 26.
Alternatively, they can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at Crimestoppers-uk.org. No personal details are taken, information is not traced or recorded and you will not go to court.