A £3,000 Crimestoppers reward is being offered for anyone that helps catch the person responsible for an unprovoked assault in Newark.
Independent charity Crimestoppers has made the funds available for information sent directly to them that leads to an arrest and conviction.
The victim was sitting on a bench and minding his own business on land near Tolney Lane when he was approached by another man and told to leave the area.
He then continued to act in an aggressive manner before suddenly running up behind the victim and striking him once in the back of head with a weapon he’d been carrying.
The man sustained head injuries that are not life-threatening or life-altering during the assault, which happened around 6.30pm on 22 April, on a grassy area next to the river.
His attacker has been described as a white man, aged between 20 and 25, while he also had mousey light brown hair that was swept back, was of an athletic build and had facial hair stubble.
The suspect, who spoke with an English accent, was also described as wearing a khaki coloured jacket with a front zip, black trousers and a black t-shirt.
Nottinghamshire Police detectives launched an investigation in the immediate aftermath of the assault and have now teamed up with Crimestoppers to track down the person responsible.
The charity is today offering a reward of up to £3,000 for help in securing an arrest and conviction.
This reward is available exclusively for information passed directly to Crimestoppers.
Lydia Patsalides, Regional Manager for the East Midlands area at Crimestoppers, said:
“This was an unprovoked attack on a young man in a public area, and we are urging anyone who saw or knows what happened to come forward.
“Your information could be vital in helping the police identify and apprehend the person responsible.
“Remember, you can share what you know anonymously – no one will ever know it was you.”
Detective Inspector James Oakton, of Nottinghamshire Police, said:
“This was a horrible assault on a man who was minding his own business and, put simply, really didn’t deserve for this to happen to him.
“While thankfully the injuries he sustained weren’t life-threatening or life-altering, he has understandably been left very shaken up by what happened, so we’re determined to find the person responsible.
“We’re really grateful to Crimestoppers for their ongoing assistance – not just for this case but for all our investigations.
“On behalf of Nottinghamshire Police, I would like to thank the charity for their continued support and for putting up the £3,000 reward for information that will hopefully lead to us catching this offender.
“For anyone worried about coming forward, please remember that your anonymity is guaranteed if you contact Crimestoppers.
“Your tip could be the key to us solving this case, so if you know anything you think could assist our inquiries, please do the right thing and share it with us.”
Anyone with information can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or via a secure online form at crimestoppers-uk.org.
When calling, ask for a reward code to claim your reward. No personal details are recorded, and you will never be traced or asked to testify in court.
