Acomb attack victim in critical condition

The 50-year-old victim suffered serious head injuries when he was assaulted in Acomb on Monday evening.

Last night he was in a critical condition in Leeds General Infirmary, police said.

A 19-year-old man and a 16-year-old boy have been arrested and were last night in police custody.

Detectives have not yet been able to speak to the victim, a local man, because he has not yet regained consciousness.

Police officers were still at the scene of the assault in Acomb Road yesterday and had cordoned off the area where the man was targeted, near the Priory Medical Centre and the Bathstore shop on the corner of Fairfax Court.

The attack happened at about 7.40pm on Monday, police said, and the alarm was raised by a passer-by.

The arrested teenagers were yesterday being interviewed by detectives, who are urgently trying to find out what happened in the moments before the attack.

The victim was originally taken to York Hospital but was transferred to Leeds General Infirmary yesterday for specialist treatment.

Det Insp Ian Dyer, of York CID, said: “This is a very serious incident which has left a man critically ill in hospital.

“We are providing support to his family at this distressing time while we investigate the full circumstances surrounding the assault.”

Det Insp Dyer said it was crucial that anybody who saw the attack or who had information should contact detectives immediately.

“We need to piece together what happened on Monday evening, including what the people involved were doing in the build-up to the incident,” he said.

“Even the smallest item of information could be crucial.

“It is vitally important that all witnesses to the assault do the right thing and contact the investigation team as soon as possible.”

Anybody with information about the assault to phone the force on 101, select option two and ask for York CID.

They can also phone Crimestoppers on 0800 555111 and callers should quote crime reference number 12130011464.