Police are seeking witnesses after a good Samaritan was slugged over the back of the head after rescuing a woman from a violent attacker in York city centre.

ATTACK victim: Gary Olney spent night in hospital after attack

Gary Olney, of Tang Hall Lane, spent a night in hospital and had to have six stitches in the back of his head after he was left unconscious on Melrosegate on Saturday night.

"I am recovering now," he said.

"But I am still feeling pretty battered and bruised after the clobbering I got."

The attack took place as Mr Olney was walking in the direction of Melrosegate after leaving the Beeswing pub, on Hull Road, at around 11.30pm.

He saw woman lying on the ground near the Melrosegate traffic lights and a man standing over her.

"He was kicking her in the legs," said Mr Olney.

"And so I went over and grabbed him.

"The woman ran off - I didn't see which way - but I hung on to the man until she gone and then let him go.

"I went in to the pizza place on Melrosegate to tell my friends I'd be a few minutes and then went back outside to make sure everything was okay.

"I saw the man was still looking around and started to make my way back to my friends - next thing I knew I was in the hospital having the back of my head stitched up."

Sergeant Colin Ventress of York police, said: "This was obviously a cowardly and vicious attack.

"Given the injuries Mr Olney suffered we believe some sort of weapon must have been used to knock him unconscious.

"Although Mr Olney did not see his attacker we think it is likely that this attack was related to Mr Olney's attempt to help the woman and we would appeal to her, and anyone else saw the incident, to come forward.

"We ask anyone in the area at the time the attack took place to cast their minds back in the hope they saw something that could help us with our inquiries.

"We are looking for a white man in his mid 20s , who is about 6ft 2in tall, with very close cropped hair.

"The woman, who was being kicked, is of a similar age with short blonde hair and was wearing a light-coloured jacket and jeans."

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