Unprovoked attack in Accrington pub

7:00pm Thursday 1st May 2008

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By David Watkinson »

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A MAN was knocked unconscious with a single blow from behind in a "vicious" unprovoked attack in a pub.

Wilfred Evans, 45, had his cheekbone broken in the assault, which happened as he enjoyed a drink with his partner in Accrington town centre.

Police are now hunting his attacker, who fled from the Calder pub, Blackburn Road, after the incident, which was caught on CCTV.

And they want to speak to a man caught on camera, who they believe was involved in the incident.

Mr Evans, who works as a domestic appliance engineer in Darwen, said that he and partner Julie McMurrough, 48, had just entered the Calder at around 9.30pm on Sunday and were waiting to be served at the bar when he was punched.

He said: "I had no idea of what was coming. One minute I was waiting to be served and the next I was picking myself up off the ground after being punched.

"I was just knocked out cold and I'm told I was out for a while.

"My partner tried to help me up but luckily the bar staff were great and they took me to the toilets to clean up a bit."

Police and ambulance crews arrived within minutes of the attack and Mr Evans, who lives with his partner in Avenue Parade, Accrington, was taken to Royal Blackburn Hospital for treatment.

He is now faces the possibility of an operation on his broken cheekbone.

Mr Evans added: "I have no idea why it happened, it might have been a random attack or just mistaken identity, but I just want the police to catch who did it.

"It's really shaken both me and Julie up quite badly and I'm terrified that this could happen again, either to myself or someone else.

"I'm just trying to get my head around everything that's happened."

Det Sgt Mark Vaughton said: "This appears to have been an unprovoked and motiveless attack on an innocent man who was out enjoying a drink with his family.

We are keen to speak to the man in the CCTV footage who we believe was involved and would appeal to anyone who knows the identity of this man to contact Accrington CID.

Police say the attacker is described as white, approximately 6ft tall, with a stocky build and short dark brown hair. He was wearing a bright green t-shirt, dark trousers and white trainers.

He fled The Calder pub in the direction of Accrington town centre after the assault.

Anyone with information can contact police on 01254 353743 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.