'Cowardly' attacker sought after vicious assault

Police are looking for a "cowardly" attacker whose vicious assault on a 22-year-old man left him with serious head injuries in Christchurch last weekend.

Two men and a woman were approached by a group of four men and two women after arriving in a taxi to a Cashel St address in Linwood at about 2am last Sunday, Detective Sergeant Mark Reid said.

After an "exchange" between the two groups, one of the men from the larger group followed the group from the taxi up the driveway of a house.

"Two men have then been subject to a vicious and unprovoked attack by the man who had followed them. The offender punched one man twice in the face, knocking him to the ground," said Mr Reid.

"The second man stepped in to protect the first victim and was punched two or three times in the face. He fell backwards while unconscious, with the back of his head striking concrete."

The man suffered a fractured skull and a brain bleed and had to be admitted to intensive care at Christchurch Hospital.

It is believed the attacker then left the scene on foot with the rest of the group.

"This was a cowardly attack that has left a young man with serious injuries," said Reid.

"We really need the public's help to identify this offender, so that he can be held to account for his actions."

The offender has been described as Maori and in his early 20s. He is about 1.7m tall and of average build.

He was wearing a black hoodie and a black cap.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Sergeant Reid on (03) 3637400 or phone Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

- Herald Online