No racist motive behind attack, police say
A FATHER and son were attacked by a hammer-wielding thug in a mosque car park.
The attack happened in a mosque on Newton Street, Ashton-under-Lyne on Monday afternoon.
The victims, aged 55 and 29, were sprayed in the face and hit with hammers.
Both men were taken to hospital suffering from head injuries.
The older man has now been discharged, but his son remains in hospital in a stable condition.
The offender is described as a white male, around 6 feet tall, slim build, wearing dark clothing and a dark hat.
Detective Constable Graeme Masheter, of Ashton CID, said: “This was a completely unprovoked attack on a father and son who were simply going about their business.
“It is unclear why these two men would be targeted in this way.
“The attack took place outside a mosque and the two men are Asian, but it is not being treated as a racist incident.
“I’m appealing for anyone who may have any information at all to help us trace this offender.”
Anyone with information should call police at Ashton on 0161 856 9252 or the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Both men were taken to hospital suffering from head injuries.
The older man has now been discharged, but his son remains in hospital in a stable condition.
The offender is described as a white male, around 6 feet tall, slim build, wearing dark clothing and a dark hat.
Detective Constable Graeme Masheter, of Ashton CID, said: “This was a completely unprovoked attack on a father and son who were simply going about their business.
“It is unclear why these two men would be targeted in this way.
“The attack took place outside a mosque and the two men are Asian, but it is not being treated as a racist incident.
“I’m appealing for anyone who may have any information at all to help us trace this offender.”
Anyone with information should call police at Ashton on 0161 856 9252 or the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
