Man loses sight after attack

A man who had a bottle thrown at him by a teenager has lost the sight in his right eye.

The victim was attacked after he refused to give the teenager a cigarette in the Urmston area of Greater Manchester.

He had to undergo a four-hour operation to remove shards of glass from his eye in the hope his sight would be saved, but his injuries were too severe.

The 33-year-old father-of-two was set upon as he walked home from a pub with four friends in Rothiemay Road.

This is such a terrible and unnecessary attack on a man that had just been out for a quiet drink Detective Constable Gary Bell

The teenager starting throwing the bottles after he tried to punch one of the men but missed, during the incident at about 2330 BST on Friday 1 August.

Two of the men chased the youngster following the punch-attempt, and he went in to a nearby garden and started throwing the bottles, one of which hit the victim on the right side of his face.

On Friday Detective Constable Gary Bell said: "This is such a terrible and unnecessary attack on a man that had just been out for a quiet drink minding his own business with a group of friends.

'Such a waste'

"This man is a self-employed builder who is now going to struggle to be able to keep his work.

"It is such a waste to think that this man who has a loving family and a good business, a full life with no worries, now has this to contend with."

The attacker was white, 5ft 9ins tall, and of slim build.

Witnesses or anyone who has information about the attack should contact Stretford CID or ring Crimestoppers.