Ramsbottom chef critical after attack (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Ramsbottom chef critical after attack

1:27pm Monday 10th September 2012 in News

A CHEF from a popular East Lancashire restaurant has been left in hospital with a bleed on his brain after an unprovoked attack while he was driving home.

Farhad Ghassemi, 32, suffered serious head injuries after he was set upon by at least three men on his way home from Ramson’s, in Ramsbottom, on Friday night.

Colleagues believe he had left his vehicle to remonstrate with the men, who had surrounded his car at the junction of Bridge Street and Bolton Street, at around 11pm.

Police believe Farhad, who lives in Ramsbottom, was punched to the ground, where he received further blows and kicks which left him unconscious.

Last night, he was still in the intensive care unit at Salford’s Hope Hospital, where his condition was said to be ‘critical’.

Detectives arrested a 21-year-old and 23-year-old man in the wake of the violence, on suspicion of causing grievous bodily harm with intent. They were yesterday released on police bail.

Another man, thought to have boarded a 472 bus to Bury, was being sought by CID officers. The 19-year-old was arrested and was being questioned yesterday.

A Greater Manchester Police spokesman said: “We are appealing to anyone who may be able to help locate this man to come forward and contact police.”

John Davies, from Ramson’s, said: “There was a younger lad with him in the car from the restaurant and we think Farhad may have been trying to protect him.

“Chris and I were just in the flat above the restaurant and we didn’t hear anything. You just don’t expect something like that to turn so violent.”

In a message on the Ramson’s website, co-owner Chris Johnson said attempts were being made to keep the restaurant going while they waited for updates on Farhad’s condition.

People with any information about the attack should call police on 0161 856 8150 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.