‘We have lost the light in our lives’
SIKH PRIEST’S FAMILY APPEAL FOR HELP AFTER ‘LIFE-CHANGING’ ATTACK
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THE family of a Sikh priest who was ‘left for dead’ after an attack in Manchester in June have appealed to the public for help in identifying his attacker.
The unnamed 62-yearold, who was left with lifechanging injuries, has been in hospital since the attack on June 23.
Greater Manchester Police released CCTV footage of the incident, along with images of a man and a woman they want to speak to in connection with the incident.
“Our loving and caring husband/father had his life tragically altered when a thug cowardly committed this heinous act, leaving him in a pool of blood with catastrophic permanent life-changing brain damage and walked away as if it was normal behaviour,” the victim’s family said in a statement.
“A devoted husband and father who has lived, worked and supported a community in a city he has loved for 37 years, now cannot even leave the hospital.”
They added: “We have lost the life of the party, the light in among any darkness in our lives. The laughter and joy he brought home every day has disappeared and left our hearts vacant.
“We will sadly never get the man back who left for work that day, and thought he would walk home to enjoy the nice weather. We appeal to anyone who knows
anything or knows the offender to come forward.”
Police were called to a report of a man found unconscious in the road on Tib Street in the evening. The victim suffered a serious brain injury and has not spoken a word since the attack.
Detectives said he had walked the same route to and from work for 20 years. They said he may have accidentally brushed a woman’s arm as he strolled through the city’s Northern Quarter.
CCTV inquiries revealed the victim had been assaulted by an unknown male close to the junction with Hilton Street. The offender then fled the scene on foot, turning left onto Oldham Street.
A witness said that the man punched the Sikh priest in the face, got him on the floor, and then walked off.
Detective Inspector Mark Astbury, of Longsight CID, said: “We took the decision to release the CCTV footage with the family’s permission, to show the severity and mindlessness of this attack, and why we need to make sure the offender is found and faces the consequences of his appalling actions.”
A 38-year-old man was arrested in connection with the attack, but was later eliminated from inquiries.
People can contact police on 0161 856 6049 or www. gmp.police.uk. Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously on 0800 555 111.