Photo bid to catch good Samaritan's attackers

Police released a picture of a "good Samaritan" who was beaten by a group of youths when he tried to stop them stealing a bike.

Andrew Folan, 40, from Coventry, was left with multiple injuries after the gang assaulted him in the Stoke area of the city.

Yesterday, detectives issued a photograph of him in an effort to encourage any witnesses or anyone with information to come forward.

Mr Folan challenged the group of five or six teenagers as they tried to steal a BMX bike in an alleyway near Walsgrave Road, Coventry, at about 7pm on Sunday, 25 October.

He was then seriously assaulted and left needing hospital treatment for several injuries.

Police said the gang fled between the nearby Red Corner gym and a chip shop on to the Walsgrave Road.

Det Con Mark Olden, from West Midlands Police, said: "Mr Folan was playing the role of a good Samaritan and was subjected to a vicious attack for his trouble.

"This was an unprovoked attack and we would urge anyone with information or any witnesses to contact the police."