Police Appeal To Catch Head-Stamp Attacker

Police have released CCTV images showing a thug repeatedly stamping on the head of a teenager as he lay unconscious on the floor.

Cameras in Birmingham's Broad Street recorded the 18-year-old being floored with a punch before the man, believed to be light-skinned and of mixed race in his early 20s, stamps up to 10 times on the back of his head and neck.

At first it was feared the victim, an apprentice engineer, may have lost his sight in one eye but his vision has returned, although he suffered severe facial injuries and lost several teeth.

West Midlands Police decided video of the attack was too shocking to release publicly.

The incident took place just before 4am on Sunday, September 9, near Revolution bar in Broad Street.

Investigating officer Detective Constable Sarah McDonnell said: "The victim was a totally innocent party: he got caught up in an incident and was understandably unhappy at being shoved to the ground.

"He approached the aggressor and was then punched to the floor and repeatedly stamped upon.

"He was lying prone, face down on the floor, and unable to defend himself ... it is the most cowardly, sickening attack I've ever seen and I'd urge anyone who recognises the offender or any of his friends shown on CCTV to contact us.

"The attacker, who was having an altercation with another group moments earlier, is seen on camera seemingly trying to justify his actions to some of the throng of people who gathered at the scene before he nonchalantly slopes off.

"Many people witnessed the attack and I'd also ask them to come forward and report what they saw; they could hold important information. The offender hangs around for up to a minute after the attack, along with his friends; there's a chance one may have referred to the offender by name and if so we'd like to know."

The main aggressor is described as a light-skinned male in his late teens or early 20s, just over 6ft tall, skinny build with wide shoulders and a shaved head. He was wearing a cap which he handed to a friend before the attack.

DC McDonnell added: "Thankfully, the victim is recovering in hospital but the severity of the attack, the repeated and furious stamping on his head, meant we could have been looking at a murder enquiry.

"We have very clear CCTV images of the offender and also the males who were with him on the night. I'd urge them to make contact with police."

Anyone with information is asked to contact DC McDonnell at West Midlands Police Force CID on the 101 number or alternatively contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.