Two arrests after Preston City Centre assault that left man in critical condition

Detectives have made two arrests after an assault in Preston City Centre that left a man critically injured.

Officer were called by the ambulance service shortly before 3am on Friday (12 August) to a report that a man had been found with head injuries in Harris Street in the city centre.

The man, in his 20s, was taken to hospital where he remains. His condition is described as critical.

He is believed to have been assaulted on the junction of Harris Street and Birley Street at approximately 2.40am following an altercation with two males.

Following a number of enquiries two men have been arrested on suspicion of Section 18 Wounding. The 28-year-old man from Preston and the 21-year-old man from Ashton-on-Ribble have now been released on bail.

Police are continuing to appeal for anybody who saw the saw any of the three men described below in the area before or after the altercation or in Preston on Thursday evening .

Male one is described as white, approximately 5ft 9ins tall in his late 20s. He was wearing a grey Under Armour baseball cap, grey shirt with black stripes and black patterned shorts

Male two, who is described as short, of a slim build, with blonde hair. He was wearing a lime green top and shorts.

Male three, who is the victim, is described as white, approximately 6ft 1ins tall, in his early 20s, with dark hair. He was wearing a black and white check shirt over a black t-shirt, dark trousers and black trainers.

Police also need to speak to a fourth man who could be a key witness, helping the victim after the assault. He was seen in the Friargate area following the altercation. He is described as black, of a stocky build in his late 20s with short cut hair. He was potentially wearing a dark green tracksuit and had a man bag in his possession.

DI Bryony Midgley, from the Force Major Investigation Team: “This incident has left a young man with serious injuries and my thoughts are with his loved ones at this time.

“Whilst we have made two arrests our enquiries are very much ongoing.

“We are still keen to speak to anyone who witnessed the incident or saw any of the men described above. Whatever information they have – no matter how minor they think it is – may be key to the investigation.

“We know a number of people were present in the area at the time, many of whom provided assistance and first aid. If you have not come forward to speak to police yet, I would urge you to do so as soon as possible.

“Similarly, I would ask anybody with footage from the area which could assist our enquiries to make contact with the police.”

Anyone with information should contact police on 101 quoting log 0161 of August 12^th. Alternatively contact independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or online at crimestoppers.org.

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