DETECTIVES are appealing for information after a violent daylight assault left a man fighting for his life in hospital.

An investigation was launched following an incident on Hylton Riverside Retail Park in Sunderland, at 8.05am yesterday (Tuesday).

It was reported that, following a disagreement in the street, the offender punched another male in the face outside a Greggs’ store.

The victim suffered a suspected fractured skull in the attack and was taken to hospital, where he remains in a critical but stable condition.

His family has been notified and are being supported by specialist officers.

Following the single punch assault, in which the victim was knocked to the ground, the offender made off in a blue Audi A3 vehicle.

Officers have been carrying out a range of inquiries and have since arrested a 44-year-old man on suspicion of causing grievous bodily harm with intent.

He remained in police custody on Wednesday evening.

Detective Chief Inspector Sean McGuigan, who is leading the investigation, said: “This was a violent incident that left a man in his 20s fighting for his life.

“We are committed to finding out the circumstances surrounding this assault, which we believe followed a verbal altercation in the street between the offender and victim.

“We are currently interviewing one man in connection with the incident, and inquiries are ongoing to trace the vehicle involved, which we believe to be a blue Audi A3.

“The car had a broken rear window and travelled from the retail park on the A1231 Wessington Way towards the Castletown area, immediately afterwards.

“From our inquiries, we understand a number of people were in the area and will have witnessed the assault outside Greggs.

“I am appealing for those individuals to come forward with any information they have.

“I am also asking for anybody who believes they saw a vehicle matching that description in the area, or believes they know where that car is now, to get in touch immediately.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact police via the ‘Tell Us Something’ page of the Northumbria Police website, or by calling 101, quoting log NP-20210831-0159.

 

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