DETECTIVES are appealing for witnesses to a late-night assault at the weekend in which a Congleton man suffered a fractured skull.

The 32-year-old man is being treated for his injury in Macclesfield Hospital, and police are looking for the public's help in catching the man who attacked him.

The man was punched as he was walking with his girlfriend and her sister along Brook Street, near the town centre, at 12.45am on Sunday.

An argument started between the two women, and the boyfriend tried to sort it out.

The attacker, who was walking on the other side of the street, saw what was happening and shouted abusive comments across the road which were directed at the man and the women.

The boyfriend crossed the road to speak to the man, who launched an unprovoked attack on the 32-year-old.

The boyfriend banged his head on the pavement as he was knocked to the ground, fracturing his skull in the process.

He was treated at the scene by paramedics, before being taken to Macclesfield Hospital.

The attacker is described as six feet tall, aged between 25 and 30, stockily built, with a Congleton accent, and was wearing a blue padded jacket.

Police are appealing for any witnesses to the assault to ring DC Paul Broadhurst on 01244-613535 or Crimestoppers on 0800-555111

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