Birmingham father in coma after man smashes brick over his head during Christmas shopping

Police are appealing for more information on the attacker - believed to be a man in his 20s - while father is treated in hospital

40-year-old father was assaulted on way to shops (Getty Images)

A Birmingham father is in a coma after a “vicious” daytime attack saw an unidentified man smash a brick over his head while he was Christmas shopping.

The victim, 40, is thought to have been walking to his local shops along Stud Lane, Stechford, when the altercation with the other man erupted.

A witness told ITV News how the attacker, described as a white male in his early 20s with mousy brown hair, “picked up a brick before striking him over the head”, leaving him unconscious.

He was rushed to hospital shortly before midday and has been placed in an induced coma while doctors access the extent of his injuries.

West Midlands Police Detective Inspector Neil Postins told The Mirror: “This was a vicious attack on a local family man, an outrageous response to a verbal spat in the street.

"It's also a cowardly act to grab whatever he could lay his hands on and use it as a weapon.

"If anyone saw the attack or a man matching the description in that location I'd ask them to contact us immediately.

"The attacker may well have spoken about the incident to someone. We need to get this dangerous man off the streets."