A MAN’s jaw was broken in two places after he was punched in the face as he waited outside a Sale takeaway.


The unprovoked attack took place at around 2am on January 6, as the 25-year-old was waiting outside the fast food restaurant on School Road, having spent the night drinking with a friend.


While waiting for his friend, the victim began talking to a woman.


He was then hit without warning by a man believed to be with the woman.
The blow to the side of his face caused his jaw to break in two places.


He was taken to hospital and required surgery to have metal plates inserted into his jaw, which took more than four hours.


The offender is described as white, in his mid 20s, 5ft 10in tall, of medium build with shaved hair at the sides and longer on top.


He wore a black hooded body warmer, with a blue hooded top underneath which had red arms and a printed emblem to the chest, blue jeans, blue trousers, red converse trainers with white toe caps.


The woman the victim was talking to was white, in her mid 20s, with short dark hair and was dressed in white.


Det ConPaul Walls said: "This was a completely unprovoked attack on a young man who was not upsetting anyone.


"I would urge any witnesses who may have seen this attack to call us.


“I am confident that there are witnesses out there, because the street was busy at that time with people who were minding their own business, getting food or waiting for a cab.


"They may not have realised the seriousness of what they saw, and probably would never have imagined that the punch would lead to an operation as serious as what the victim had to endure in hospital.


"And I would also like to directly appeal to the offender to speak to us. I have CCTV footage that clearly identifies you, and I urge you to speak to us before we decide to release it.


"We will do all that we can to bring justice to this victim, and send out a clear message that behaviour like this will not be tolerated."


Anyone with any information is asked to call police on 0161 856 7679 or call the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.