A MAN has appeared in court accused of delivering a single blow, leaving the victim fighting for his life in hospital.

It follows an altercation outside a branch of bakers Greggs, on Hylton Riverside Retail Park, Sunderland, at 8.05am on Tuesday.

Northumbria Police said the man assaulted suffered a suspected fractured skull and was taken to hospital initially in a critical condition.

Having thrown the punch, the offender made off in a navy blue Audi A3 vehicle, which investigators were keen to trace as part of their inquiries.

Police subsequently arrested 44-year-old Shaun Harrison, who was charged with unlawful wounding.

Appearing before South Tyneside magistrates yesterday, the defendant, of Grange Road, Castletown, Sunderland, denied the charge.

The case was adjourned and the magistrates sent the case to Newcastle Crown Court, where the defendant will appear at a plea and trial preparation hearing, on Thursday September 30, when a trial date is expected to be fixed.

Mr Harrison was granted conditional bail.

Detectives investigating the incident have urged any witnesses, or anyone who may have subsequently seen the Audi A3, to come forward with information.

They are asked to call 101, quoting log NP-20210831-0159.

Police said the victim remained in a critical, but stable condition in hospital.

Keep up to date with all the latest news on our website, or follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

You can also follow our dedicated County Durham Facebook page for all the latest in the area by clicking here.

For all the top news updates from right across the region straight to your inbox, sign up to our newsletter here.

Have you got a story for us? Contact our newsdesk on newsdesk@nne.co.uk or contact 01325 505054