Cheltenham Festival goer suffers serious head injuries during assault

By Rod Minchin, PA

A Cheltenham Festival goer has suffered serious head injuries after being attacked by a fellow reveller.

The victim, a man in his 50s, was taken to Southmead Hospital in Bristol where he remains with serious head injuries.

Police said the man was attacked on Portland Street in Cheltenham town centre on Tuesday evening.

A man was reported as initially throwing a drink into the face of the victim, before a second man then punched the same victim, causing him to fall to the floor unconscious.

A 28-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of assault. He has been released on bail while inquiries continue.

“Officers are now appealing for anyone with information, or has mobile phone footage of the incident, to get in touch,” a police spokesman said.

“They are particularly keen to speak to a man in a distinctive purple suit, who is believed to have been at the scene at the time.”

It is understood the victim had been attending the first day of the Cheltenham Festival.