Police are hunting three attackers who brutally attacked a 49 year old man at a Metrolink stop in Oldham.
The man had caught the tram from Oldham towards Manchester after a night out and returning early, leaving his friends in the town centre, was attacked as he got off the tram at Freehold in what police describe as an attack made by people who think they are above the law.
The attackers,who are all described as Asian teenage boys aged between 15 and 18, – repeatedly kicked and stamped on the victims head as he lay in a pool of blood unable to defend himself on the ground.Fortunately a tram travelling in the opposite direction saw the ongoing assault and the driver stopped to intervene.
The driver was supported by passengers from the tram who forced the doors and ran to the victim’s aid. It was only as a result of these actions that the attackers stopped their assault and ran from the scene.
Police have released CCTV in the hope someone comes forward with information about the incident.
The incident happened around 9.30pm on the 8th March but the victim has until now been too traumatised for the incident to be reported.He is now out of hospital after suffering fractures to the skull and severe bruising.
Detective Sergeant John Coleman, from GMP’s Oldham borough, said: “Not only did these men target an innocent man for no apparent reason, they subjected him to a sustained and brutal attack and the footage is absolutely shocking.“How anyone could kick a defenceless man in the head as he lay unconscious is almost unbelievable but for them to return on three separate occasions to continue their assault and then leave him bleeding on the platform is beyond comprehension.“The fact the victim not only survived but is now on the road to recovery is pretty incredible.
“We know a tram stopped on the opposite side of the tracks at the time of the attack and I would urge anyone who has any video footage to please send it in to us as a matter of urgency. It could be vital to finding the people responsible.
“Alternatively, anyone who thinks they know who did this, or has any information, please get in touch. This could have been your father, son or brother and we need to find these men immediately.”
Oldham MP Jim McMahon said in a statement that last year a man was struck by a rock which was thrown through the tram window at the same location.
“I, along with local residents and councillors, have been raising complaints about anti-social behaviour on the track for years. We have specifically highlighted this station as a hot spot where young people gather creating a threatening environment for passengers going to and from the tram station.”
TfGM’s Head of Metrolink, Danny Vaughan, said: “This was a sickening and sustained attack that has left a man seriously injured.
“We know there’s been a spike in the number of incidents of crime and antisocial behaviour in the Oldham area recently. It is something we are working with partners to try and tackle but the extent of this assault and level of force used was indiscriminate and wanton.
“Working under the TravelSafe Partnership the number of patrols in the area has been increased significantly and CCTV of the incident has been handed over to police to assist their investigation. I’d encourage anyone with information about this incident or those responsible to come forward.”
