Man left with serious head injuries after Wirral street attack

Feb 22 2012 by Alan Weston, Birkenhead News

Man left with serious head injuries after street attack

A MAN was left fighting for his life in hospital after he was attacked and punched to the ground in a Wirral street.

George Craddock, 42, suffered a serious head injury following the row in Old Chester Road, Rock Ferry.

A Merseyside Police spokesman confirmed a 13-year-old was arrested in connection with the attack.

Police were called to the area at 8.20pm on Monday. Several youths were in the street at the time of the attack.

The man was taken to Arrowe Park hospital by ambulance and later transferred to Walton Centre for Neurology and Neurosurgery because of the severity of his injuries. Police cordoned off a busy section of Old Chester Road opposite the Co-operative supermarket leading to traffic diversions.

They also taped off a small patch of grass and a bench where the attack is thought to have happened.

Green tarpaulin and police tape covered the railings enclosing the patch of grass.

A man, who did not want to be named, said: "The police have been here all night. They arrived at 10pm.

“The lad who was attacked is one of my friends and he's in a serious way.

“It's worrying because it is becoming an everyday occurrence. It's getting pretty ridiculous now.”

Another man was prevented from opening his shop on Tuesday morning because it was behind the police cordon.

Chanmugam Kanthan, the shop owner, said: "I just arrived this morning to find it all cordoned off.

“We get a lot of trouble around here, both inside and outside the shop. people are always fighting."

Police have appealed for witnesses.

Anyone with information can call Merseyside Police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.