A MAN was seriously injured in an unprovoked assault in Bromsgrove.

The victim, a 21-year-old, was dropped off by a taxi after a night out at around 3.15am on Sunday, May 18.

He was walking near Travis Perkins, in Birmingham Road, and when he crossed the road, at the junction with All Saints Road, he was verbally challenged by a man who was with two women.

He continued on his way but heard footsteps behind him, and was then grabbed around the throat by the offender who headbutted and punched him several times, knocking him to the floor.

One of the women tried to help the victim at the scene, before he went home. When he subsequently went to hospital it was established he had a broken nose and fractured cheekbone.

The attacker was white, aged about 20, around 5 feet 11 inches, slim, with black hair. He was wearing grey cotton tracksuit bottoms, a dark long-sleeved top and a grey or black baseball cap.

The woman who tried to help the victim is described as white, about 5 feet 6 inches, slim, with long blonde hair worn in a ponytail. She was possibly wearing a pink top.

Detective Sergeant Steve Cook said: “This was an unprovoked attack which has left a man with some nasty injuries.

"We would like to hear from anyone who either saw the incident or knows who was responsible.

“We are appealing for help to identify him or the women with him although we would stress they were not involved in the assault.

"In fact afterwards one of the women tried to help the victim so they have nothing to fear by coming forward to talk to us.”

Anyone with information is asked to call North Worcestershire CID on non-emergency number 101, quoting incident reference 167-S-180514.

Details can also be passed on anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or visit crimestoppers-uk.org.