Hate crime assault: man arrested

Matthew Hayden who had surgery for a fractured skull following the attack

A 19-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of a section 18 assault following the vicious attack with a golf club on a 17-year-old.

The man is currently in police custody for questioning.

In the early hours of Saturday morning (2 June), Matthew Hayden and Josh Jones, who play rugby for Littleborough Colts, plus friend Zac Madden, were viciously attacked in Smithy Bridge after they were followed by four men in a dark Nissan Micra.

https://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/119299/teenagers-hospitalised-after-vicious-racial-attack

The offending group of men were heard shouting racial abuse at the teenager and his friends before they fled towards Hollingworth Lake.

This incident is being treated as a hate crime.

Police are still investigating however and appealing for help from the public to help trace others in connection with the attack.

Detective Sergeant Andrew Dixon said: “We have received an excellent response from the public in relation to this attack and we hope this will continue.

“The 17-year-old victim has undergone surgery and his family are supporting him as his hopes and dreams to be a professional rugby player hang in the balance.”

Reports can also be made anonymously through the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 quoting incident number 274 of 02/06/18.