BOYS BATTER MAN, 29, WITH METAL BARS

12-YEAR-OLD AND TEENAGERS ARRESTED AFTER STREET ATTACK LEAVES VICTIM FIGHTING FOR LIFE

A 12-YEAR-OLD boy and four teenagers have been arrested after a man was brutally attacked in the street with metal bars and left fighting for his life.

The 29-year-old victim was found unconscious with blood pouring from his head in Chinley Avenue, Moston after the assault.

Emergency services were called at around 9pm on Saturday evening and the man was taken to hospital where he remains in a critical condition.

Officers believe the victim was beaten up by a group of males, some of whom were armed with sticks or metal bars.

After smashing the victim over the head, the gang left the area, leaving the victim unconscious in the street.

A nearby resident told the M.E.N. how he find him lying desperately ill in the street.

The man said: “He was in a really bad way. We called 999 and the paramedics were here really quickly. He was black and blue and there was lots of blood.

“He’d been given a real kicking, it looked like there was a lot of people involved. I’ve no idea what it was about but it was really, really nasty. We obviously hope he pulls through.”

Five boys, aged 12, 14, 14, 15 and 17, and one man, aged 32, have now been arrested on suspicion of assault and remain in custody for questioning in connection with the incident.

Det Chief Insp Andrew Cunliffe said: “This is a serious attack which has left a man with potentially fatal or life-changing injuries.

“We know that an incident occurred on nearby Bluestone Road and this has continued on to Chinley Avenue, where the attack itself took place. We now have people in custody in relation to this assault, but that should not prevent witnesses coming forward and telling us what they saw.

“I have placed extra patrols in the area and we have a dedicated team of detectives working on this investigation, hopefully with the help of the community.”

Anyone with information can call 101, quoting incident number 150417/2054, or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.