CCTV images appeal over brutal carjacking
POLICE have issued images of two men they want to speak to after a gang armed with baseball bats attacked a dad then stole his car in a brutal assault.
Paul Schofield, 58, was parked up on Leamington Street in Rochdale at around 10.55pm on November third when a white Nissan Juke drove past and stopped nearby.
Three men armed with bats then got out of the Nissan and approached Mr Schofield in his black Ford Fiesta ST2.
One of the attackers demanded he get out of the car, before hitting him over the head with a baseball bat leaving him with a 5ins gash.
Mr Schofield’s ex-wife, who was with him in the car at the time, was also threatened by other two men who told her to get out and leave her handbag behind.
The offenders then split up and drove away both the victim’s car and the Nissan. Fortunately, Mr Schofield has since ‘recovered well’ from his injuries, police said.
He told the Observer at the time: “I’d just parked up. I opened the door, turned round and there were three lads standing there with baseball bats all dressed in black.
“I held my hands up and, bang, they smashed me over the head.
“I think the adrenaline must have kicked in because it didn’t seem real.
“Even now I still don’t think it’s sunk in. It’s the type of thing you read about happening to other people.
“I can’t understand why they slugged me. I wasn’t putting up a fight.”
The stolen vehicle, a black Ford Fiesta ST2 registration MM17 YAF has not been recovered.
Police have now released CCTV images of two men they want to speak to in connection with the incident.
Detective Constable Ellen Molloy said: “This was a brutal assault that could have had potentially much more grave consequences.
“Thankfully, the victim has recovered well from his injuries and we’re determined to find those responsible for his injuries and the theft of his car.
“We believe the men pictured may have important information on this crime. Do you recognise them or have any information? If so – contact police immediately.”
Anyone with information is asked to call police on 0161 856 8756, quoting incident 2409 of 03/11/18 – or the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.