Police appeal as CCTV images show moments before beating that left man ‘unrecognisable’

POLICE have released new images of the moments before a man’s life was changed forever in a vicious attack in Co Antrim.

Anthony McMahon (59) was left unrecognisable after the brutal assault in Newtownabbey, police said.

Mr McMahon was left with life-changing injuries after he was found unconscious with severe head and facial wounds in a car park on Longwood Road last August. A passing police patrol administered emergency first aid after he was severely beaten.

Detective inspector Chris Millar said: “The injuries sustained by Mr McMahon were such that he was left unrecognisable to even his closest family members and he had to undergo reconstructive surgery.

“His injuries were much more than serious, they have been life-changing, as displayed in a photo we are releasing.

“Thankfully, he survived and has come through this but the nature of this attack was both shocking and brutal.

“I cannot stress enough just how violent and wicked this assault was and I am again asking the public to help identify the ruthless and cowardly perpetrator who carried out this vile attack.”

The officer appealed for anyone who was in the Longwood Road area on Tuesday, August 15 to contact police. Police released

Anthony McMahon was assaulted in Newtownabbey last year

a CCTV image of the victim on the day he was attacked. They also issued an image of an individual

they would like to speak to. The man is described as being in his 40s, of heavy build and was wearing a white shirt along with a dark suit jacket and trousers. PSNI would like to speak to this man in case he has any information into the assault on Anthony McMahon, who was attacked in August 2017