Attacked Burnley reveller 'in wrong place at wrong time'

5:14pm Thursday 3rd July 2008

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A YOUNG reveller who was attacked in a Burnley suburb may have been in the wrong place at the wrong time, police believe.

The 23-year-old was struck from behind without warning, possibly by a bottle, as he stepped out of a taxi in Brougham Street, in the early hours.

But police said there may have been a pre-arranged street fight between white and Asian males around the time of the incident.

Sgt Phil Carter, of Burnley Police, said: “This young man may well have been in the wrong place at the wrong time, it seems.

“He appears to have been struck over the head from behind with a glass object, which was possibly a bottle.”

The victim was on a night out with friends when their cab stopped briefly in Brougham Street, at around 12.45am on Sunday.

Three men pulled up close to the taxi, in another vehicle, and one of them got out, shouting and swearing at the cab and its passengers.

Without warning the taxi passenger was hit on the back of the head and crashed to the floor.

He suffered injuries to the back of his head but refused hospital treatment. The trio fled the scene shortly afterwards.

Police are looking to speak to three Asian men, in connection with the incident and are appealing for witnesses to come forward.

The victim’s friends are also set to be interviewed to see if they can provide any other clues about the make of the second vehicle or the attacker himself.

Police say that the victim remembers little about the attack after leaving the taxi.

People who know anything about the incident are asked to call Burnley police on 01282 425001 or Crimestoppers, in confidence, on 0800 555 111.