Avon and Somerset Police are appealing for witnesses to an unprovoked assault in Taunton last night (Friday) which has left a man in hospital with a serious head injury.
Avon and Somerset Police said:
“The victim and his wife, both aged in their 50s, were walking along South Road at about 10pm when a man behind them shouted at them, asking whether they had a lighter.
They informed the man they didn’t and continued walking.
The man then caught up with them and became increasingly aggressive.
When the victim stepped in front of his wife to protect her the man wrestled him to the floor and punched him repeatedly in the face.
The offender fled the scene when the victim’s wife called 999.
The victim was taken to the hospital where he continues to receive treatment for a bleed on the brain.”
Police are appealing for anyone who was in the South Road area last night, who saw any part of the incident or a man running from the area or knows someone who has fresh/ unexplained injuries to their hands to call 101 and provide the call handler with the reference 5221167684.
Alternatively, you can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers 100% anonymously on 0800 555 111 or via their anonymous online form.