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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
National
Alexandra Rucki

Man struck in face with a bottle for no reason as he walks to gig at The O2 Ritz

A man was struck in the face with a bottle during an unprovoked attack as he walked to a gig at The O2 Ritz.

Leon Riley, of south Manchester, was crossing Whitworth Street, near to Thornley Groves estate agents, when the violent attack took place.

The 28-year-old was walking past a group of around seven lads stood around in a group drinking.

As he passed one of them, who was stood in the middle of the road, he was hit over the head with a large bottle.

Leon managed to continue walking to the Ritz after asking for help from a man up ahead who said the group were no longer following him.

A paramedic at the gig venue helped Leon stem the bleeding before he went to hospital in a taxi.

Leon was left suffering with a broken nose and he required two stitches to his eyebrow.

Leon Riley, 28, after being hit with a bottle on Whitworth Street in the city centre. (Leon Riley)

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The incident has been reported to Greater Manchester Police who have launched an investigation.

It took place between 10.15pm and 10.35pm on Saturday, July 20, and Leon is appealing for any witnesses or anyone with further information to get in touch with police.

He said: "It was a group of young lads in their early 20s. They were stood around.

"I didn't pay much attention to them. One of them was in the middle of the road.  I carried on walking. I walked past this guy when out of nowhere he hit me on the head with a bottle.

"I didn't know what it was at first. I didn't make any eye contact. I just got hit."

Leon required two stitches following the attack. (Leon Riley)

Leon, a radio producer, added: "I carried on walking. There was a guy ahead I said 'please help me', he said 'keep walking' and then said 'I don't think they are following anymore'.

"My nose is broken,  I needed two stitches in my eyebrow. My eye was cut as well.

"At first I felt fine, but I am now a little bit more cautious about things."

The attacker is described as having dark brown hair, which is short on the sides and longer on top.

The O2 Ritz Manchester (Google)

He was aged in his early 20s and wearing jeans, a blue jacket or hoodie with a t-shirt underneath.

Leon believes he was hit with a bottle of vodka or other clear spirit which the man was carrying at the time.

A spokesman for GMP said: "We were called at 11.20pm to a report of an assault. The assault occurred around 10.30pm.

"The victim, a man in his 20s, taken to hospital with non-life threatening injury."

Any witnesses or anyone with further information can contact GMP on 101 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111 quoting log number 3311/20/7/19.

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