Police have released images of a man they want to speak to after two men were left with serious facial injuries following unprovoked assaults in Salford.
Shortly before 4.50pm on Sunday 3 September 2018 on Bury New Road, Lower Broughton, Salford, 71-year-old David Miskin was walking past Quick Fit in the direction of Prestwich when he noticed a man stood in front of him.
Without any warning, the man began to punch him repeatedly, knocking him to the floor and leaving him with a broken jaw in numerous places.
The offender then ran off towards Manchester.
A passer-by took a photo of a man running away from the scene shortly afterwards.
While police were at hospital dealing with the assault, they were made aware of a second hospital patient who had also been assaulted around the same time and location.
The victim, a 56-year-old man, had been walking along Bury New Road, close to Happy Feet Nursery, when he was approached by a man who asked him for the time.
The man didn’t have the chance to reach into his pocket for his phone before he was punched to the floor, before being repeatedly punched while he lay on the ground unconscious.
His jaw was broken in three places.
The two assaults are being treated as linked.
Police Constable Christopher Wood of GMP’s Salford Division said: “These were two violent and totally unprovoked assaults on two men who were simply minding their own business.
“We believe that the same person is responsible for both of these assaults and it is critical that we trace the offender and bring them to justice.
“If you recognise the man pictured, saw them in the area at the time, or have any information, please contact police immediately.”
Information can be left with GMP on 0161 856 1319 quoting incident number 1764 of 02/09/18.
Alternatively, information can be left anonymously with the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
