A man had his wedding ring ripped from his finger during a vicious robbery on his way home from a night out in Rochdale early on Sunday morning.
The 61-year-old was attacked on Whitworth Road between 00.45am and 1am after a night out at a casino on Yorkshire Street.
The victim had proceeded to go a petrol station on Halifax Road to buy cigarettes before he walked up to Whitworth Road where the attack occurred.
As he stood next to the JCB near to B&M Bargains, he heard two sets of footsteps behind him.
On turning around, he was pushed to the ground and pinned down by two offenders who repeatedly punched, kicked and stamped on the victim.
The callous attackers seized the man’s wedding ring along with his watch, cigarettes and keys before fleeing down Haynes Street.
Police are now appealing to anyone with information to come forward.
Detective Constable Ruth Thompson said: “These two men were responsible for a vicious, brutal and totally unprovoked attack on a man who was minding his own business.
“Not content with subjecting him to a violent onslaught that involved pinning him down and stamping on his head, they also had the temerity to forcibly rip his wedding ring from his finger.”
The first offender was described as being black, aged 20-22-years-old, 5ft 2in and of a thin, wiry build. He was wearing a soft black hat with a rim around it and black clothing, it’s thought that he also had dreadlocks.
The second offender was black, 20-22-years-old, 5ft 10in tall, of a thin build and wearing dark clothing.
DC Thompson said: “That ring is unlikely to fetch much money on the black market but quite clearly has a huge sentimental and emotional value to the victim who is desperate for it to be returned to him.
“I want to appeal to anyone who witnessed this attack to come forward. Or, alternatively, if you know something or you suspect who may have been involved then please do the right thing and call us.”
Anyone with any information is urged to call police on 101 or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
Image courtesy of Google Maps, with thanks.
