POLICE have launched an investigation after a man suffered what they say was a ‘sustained assault’ which left him fighting for his life near Oakwell football stadium on Tuesday evening.
The 28-year-old, who was beaten up in an alleyway off Coniston Road just after 6pm, remains in hospital in a critical condition according to police, who have appealed for anyone who was in the area to come forward with information.
A cordon was put in place throughout the evening something which was not lifted until midday on Wednesday to enable scenes of crime officers to carry out their work when daylight broke.
Door-to-door enquiries continued throughout Wednesday following the incident, which saw about ten police cars arrive at the scene shortly after the attack when an emergency call was made by a member of the public.
The victim was rushed to Barnsley Hospital with serious injuries to his upper body and head.
Detective Inspector Mark Monteiro said: “Just after 6pm, emergency services were called to Coniston Road, after members of the public found a 28-year-old man seriously injured in an alleyway just off the street.
“He was taken to hospital, where he currently remains in a critical condition.
“An investigation into this incident is in its early stages but what we do know is that the man has suffered from a sustained and violent assault, resulting in serious injuries to his head and upper body.
“We are working hard to ascertain the exact circumstances surrounding the incident, maximising forensic opportunities at the scene and obtaining any available CCTV footage.
“A cordon that was in place has now been removed and I’d like to thank local residents for their patience as we carried out enquiries.
“Officers remain in the area, carrying out house-to-house enquiries and speaking to anyone who has information.
“We need to speak to anyone who was in the area, who either saw what happened or heard anything suspicious yesterday evening. It would have still been relatively light at around that time.”
The alleyway, which nearby residents say has been associated with drug dealing, is accessed off Cliff Terrace.
One resident, who did not wish to be named, told the Chronicle local PCSOs are often seen patrolling in the area due to concerns with drugs although police have not confirmed whether the attack was related.
“It’s a shocking thing to have happened, especially so close to where many people live,” they added. “We heard a commotion around the time police said it happened but I’ve started to close my curtains because of the characters who loiter near that alleyway.
“This area has a lot of houses packed in but this alleyway is right on the edge of all that so it’s out of the way.
“Everyone who lives around here knows it’s had its issues with antisocial behaviour, hence why PCSOs are regularly there, but recently drugs have been a problem.
“There’s been needles found and it’s not a place where you would want to go out to, especially in the evening. The next thing I knew I saw lots of police and paramedics in the area and Cliff Terrace was cordoned off.
“Hopefully the man who was attacked recovers and the person responsible is caught.”
- Call 101, quoting incident number 786 of October 16, if you have any information or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.
