New appeal in hunt for headbutt attacker

The victim was on New Station Street, near the taxi rank, with a friend when they were approached by a group of men, one of whom ran forward and headbutted and punched him in the face.

Det Con Mick Kelly, of British Transport Police’s Criminal Investigation Department, said last night that the 23-year-old victim was assaulted in an unprovoked attack.

He said: “The victim, a 23-year-old from Ilkley, was walking along New Station Street near the taxi rank with a friend when they were approached by a group of between four and six men.

“For no apparent reason one member of the group ran forward and headbutted and punched the victim in the face, he received a one inch cut above his eye and a split lip.

“We believe the group may have been drinking in Yates’s Wine Lodge on Boar Lane prior to the incident.”

Detectives yesterday reappealed for information after a previous appeal resulted in no new leads about the incident, which took place on New Station Street, on Thursday, August 18, at about 11.50pm.

DC Kelly added: “The main suspect has been described as a white man, aged between 20 and 25, with black spiky hair. He was wearing a black T-shirt with a motif on the front and a large distinctive wing-type design across the shoulders.

“This was a completely unprovoked attack, and we are appealing for anyone with information to come forward and help police with their investigation.”

Anyone with information about those involved in the incident is asked to call British Transport Police on 0800 40 50 40 quoting reference B17/NEA of 05/09/2011.

Information can also be passed to the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously by calling 0800 555 111.