Somali 'critical' after street attack

Police have sealed off an area of Sunderland

Police on Wearside are hunting the attackers of a Somali who is fighting for his life in hospital.

Police have not said whether the 36-year-old is an asylum seeker, or if the incident is race related.

The man was found unconscious outside a pub in Sunderland at 2335 GMT on Monday.

Sunderland saw demonstrations after an Iranian asylum seeker was stabbed to death and the homes of Kurdish refugees attacked in September 2002.

Mobile stolen

Chief Inspector John Brady of Northumbria Police said the man had suffered "serious head injuries" and was being treated at Newcastle General Hospital's intensive treatment unit.

He is said to be in a critical condition.

Mr Brady said the man's mobile phone had been taken in the attack.

CCTV footage of the area is also being examined.

An area near The Chase nightclub in the city has been cordoned off while officers conduct a search.