Police Appeal After Man Brutally Assaulted on Castleton Railway Platform

Police are appealing for witnesses after a violent and apparently unprovoked assault on a man at Castleton railway station in Rochdale.

The incident took place on platform 2 between 4.45pm and 5.30pm on Wednesday 21 January. Officers say the victim was approached by a man who knocked him to the ground before repeatedly stamping on his head and arm. During the attack, the suspect is also alleged to have thrown the victim’s scooter onto the railway tracks.

The victim suffered a black eye and a broken arm and reported losing consciousness during the assault. He later told officers that he believed he had encountered the same man earlier that afternoon, at around 4pm, on Sackville Street, claiming the individual then followed him to the station by car.

The suspect is described as white, in his mid-30s and approximately 5ft 10in tall. He is said to have hazel-brown hair combed to the side and was wearing a grey tracksuit at the time of the incident. Officers added that he spoke with an Irish accent.

Investigators believe several people were present on the opposite platform when the assault happened and may have witnessed the attack or recorded footage on their phones. Police are urging those individuals to come forward.

Anyone with information is asked to contact British Transport Police by texting 61016 or calling 0800 40 50 40, quoting reference 522 of 21 January. Information can also be passed anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Image: British Transport Police