A MAN is in hospital after an unprovoked attack which left him with a serious head injury.

Police are hunting a man after the incident, which happened in South Road, Taunton, at around 10pm last night (Friday, July 23).

The victim and his wife, both aged in their 50s, were walking along South Road at about 10pm when a man behind them shouted at them, asking whether they had a lighter, a police spokesperson said.

"They informed the man they didn’t and continued walking," they added.

"The man then caught up with them and became increasingly aggressive.

"When the victim stepped in front of his wife to protect her the man wrestled him to the floor and punched him repeatedly in the face."

The offender fled the scene when the victim’s wife called 999.

"The victim was taken to the hospital where he continues to receive treatment for a bleed on the brain," the spokesperson added.


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"Were you in the South Road area last night? Did you see any part of the incident or a man running from the area?

"Or do you know someone who has fresh/ unexplained injuries to their hands?

"If so, please call 101 and provide the call handler with the reference 5221167684."

People can also contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or via their Anonymous online form.