Man's jaw broken trying to stop thieves

14 May 2019, 17:25 | Updated: 14 May 2019, 17:28

Police have released an e-fit image after a man was seriously assaulted during a vehicle break-in.

The victim, a man in his 50s, intervened after seeing offenders gaining entry to his neighbour’s van on Whitecroft Road, Hawkley Hall, Wigan at around 10.15pm on Wednesday 10 April 2019.

The man asked what they were doing when one of the offenders approached him and, without provocation, punched the man in his face, causing his jaw to be broken in two places.

The man then got into a dark red 07 plate Volkswagen Golf with two younger men. They fled towards Carr Lane, taking around £6,000 worth of stolen power tools.

The offender is described as white, around 5ft 6ins tall, aged in his 50s with grey-white hair. He had a stocky build, stubble, was wearing a black cap and spoke with an Irish accent.

Police have released an e-fit image matching the description of this offender.

The two younger men are described as being aged in their mid-twenties and were wearing dark clothing. No further description of these individuals is available.

Constable Rebekah Whittaker of GMP’s Wigan District said: “This was an unprovoked and serious assault on a man who was quite rightly concerned about what these offenders were doing.

“His injuries were serious and required hospital treatment. We’re pleased he’s now been released from hospital and we wish him well as he continues his recovery.

“Do know an individual matching the image we’ve released or have any information that can assist us? If so, don’t hesitate to get in touch.”

Anyone with any information about the assault and robbery should contact police on 0161 856 7124 quoting incident number 2531 of 10/04/19.

Information can also be passed on anonymously by calling the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.