Couple require hospital treatment after intervening in an assault in Guildford

Police are appealing for witnesses after a husband and wife needed hospital treatment after trying to stop a man assaulting a woman in Guildford on Friday night (1 August).

The Good Samaritans noticed the man assaulting and abusing a woman in Cypress Road around 9-30pm and shouted at him to stop. He ignored them so they went outside to try and intervene at which point the suspect turned his aggression towards them, repeatedly punching the male victim before headbutting his wife and making off.

The couple were taken to the Royal Surrey County Hospital in Guildford, where they were both treated for facial injuries.

The suspect is described as white, in his 20s, of a medium build, with brown spikey hair. He was wearing jeans and a grey tee-shirt.

He was with four other men at the time of the incident, who are all described as in their 20s. One of the men is described as black, while the other three men are all described as white.

Officers are appealing for anyone who witnessed the incident or has any information which could assist, to come forward straightaway. They would particularly like to speak to the initial female victim who left before officers had a chance to speak to her. She is described as white, in her 20s with brown hair in a ponytail and wearing a denim jacket and jeans.

They are also urging the four men who were with the suspect to come forward.

Investigating officer Detective Constable Ben Andreas said: "This was a nasty assault which was completely unprovoked. All these Good Samaritans were trying to do was help and have ended up needing to go hospital for their trouble. It would greatly assist our investigation if we were able to speak to the initial female victim or any of the four men the suspect was with and we would urge them to come forward.”

If you can help, please contact Surrey Police on 101, quoting crime reference number 45140064497 or, if you prefer not to leave your name, call the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.