A Fallowfield cyclist has been left with a fractured skull and a bleed on the brain following a vicious petrol station attack after he had popped in to get some cigarettes.
A 46-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of assault after the incident and remains in police custody for questioning.
The victim, 51, cycled to the Shell garage on Wilmslow Road to buy cigarettes before he was approached by another man who then took his bike from him.
The attacker punched the cyclist several times and pulled him to the ground where he then kicked him in the head, leaving the victim with serious head injuries in the attack at 3am yesterday.
He is currently in a stable condition.
Detective Inspector Adrian Gallagher from Greater Manchester Police said: “At this stage, it appears there was an argument over the ownership of the bicycle which has resulted in a nasty assault.
“The man is very poorly in hospital and is currently receiving treatment for a fractured skull and a bleed on the brain.
“We have already spoken to a number of witnesses who were at the Shell Garage at the time of the offence, but there were others who we have not yet identified.
“We are urging anyone who witnessed this attack to come forward to police and tell us what you saw.”
Anyone with information should call police on 0161 856 4973 or the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
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