A MAN has been seriously assaulted in Runcorn.

The 22-year-old was walking to a petrol garage on the Hallwood Park link road when he was approached by a man.

The pair had a brief conversation and then the offender attacked the victim causing him to stumble into the road.

The offender then ran off and jumped over a fence into Roberts Court and then on to Falcons way.

The incident happened shortly before 3pm on Monday, January 8.

A smartly dressed man with ginger hair approached the victim and asked if he was okay.

The offender is described as being black, between 5ft 10 ins to 11ins tall, with black long dreadlocks down to his shoulders.

He was wearing a navy North Face jacket and baggy dark jeans.

The victim went to a walk-in centre at Halton Hospital before being transferred to Aintree hospital with serious injuries. He remains in hospital.

Detectives are appealing for witnesses.

Detective Constable Nathanial Walkowiak, of Runcorn Local Policing Unit, said: “While I am currently following a number of lines of enquiry, I am really keen to speak to the man who stopped to speak to the victim to check if he was okay. If this is you, please get in touch with us.

“This was a serious assault and I would appeal to anyone who has any information to contact officers on 101 quoting incident 583 of 12 January.”

A 22-year-old man from Runcorn was arrested on suspicion of grievous bodily harm and has been released while remaining under investigation.

Information can also be passed on anonymously by calling Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.