MANCHESTER

A teenager was left with serious head injuries after being attacked in a taxi queue.

Police say the 'horrific incident' unfolded outside Deansgate Locks in Manchester city centre shortly after 3am last Sunday, December 2.

The 18-year-old victim was standing in the queue when he was assaulted by another man.

Police said he was rushed to hospital with serious injuries to his head and face.

Detectives say Deansgate Locks was very busy at the time of the attack and have urged witnesses to come forward.

A 19-year-old man was arrested at the scene on suspicion of assault and has since been released under investigation.
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Detective Constable Michael Baylay, of GMP’s City of Manchester division, said: “This was a horrific incident that has left one man with serious injuries to his head and face.

“I want to reassure the public that we will not tolerate this kind of behaviour in Manchester and we have now launched an investigation to bring the offender to justice.

“The area was extremely busy at the time and I would like to appeal to anyone who was in the area at the time and witnessed this incident take place, to get in touch with police at Longsight police station on 0161 856 9272”.

Alternatively anybody with information can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

https://goo.gl/6FXE5U
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 PRESTWICH

A young woman punched unconscious by a man in a random attack at a taxi rank fell and broke her leg in three places.

Holly Talbot, 23, was returning home from a night out in Prestwich with her friend when they were set upon by a stranger.

After being rushed to hospital, Holly required extensive surgery to fit 12 bolts and two metal plates in her left leg.

She has been told it will be months before she is able to walk properly again.

Now Holly, a travel agent from Radcliffe, is urging anyone who has information about her attacker to come forward.

Police are investigating but Holly is also offering her own reward of £1,000 for information that leads to a conviction. Any information should be reported directly to Greater Manchester Police.

"I just think it's absolutely disgusting," Holly said. "I didn't even say one word to this man." Holly says she and her pal entered the offices of the Magnum Whiteline Taxis on Bury New Road at around 11pm last Saturday night.

"My friend asked the woman in the office if there was a toilet she could use," said Holly.

"There was a man and a woman in there as well and the woman just turned to my friend and said 'were you f***ing talking to me?'

"Then the man turned on her and said 'what did you just say?' "He just started smacking her, punching her in the face. She's covered in bruises.

"I took my shoes off to go outside, I was shouting 'what are you doing? stop it'.

"I tried to break it up and got smacked myself. He punched me full in the face and knocked me out on the pavement."I must have fallen funny.

"I woke up in some guy's arms who carried me in and put me on a bench." Holly said the attacker simply left in a taxi, with a crowd of around six to eight people watching on.

"When the ambulance got there they said I had broken my leg straight away," said Holly.

Holly was in hospital for four days before being allowed home after her surgery. She has been given crutches and a wheelchair and is now having to stay with her nan. "I just want anyone to come forward with information to catch this man," Holly added. "I want him to to go to prison. Some people are just disgusting."

Anyone with information is asked to call police on 101 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

https://goo.gl/qd6KJ9