A man has been left with 'blurred vision for life' after being attacked with a glass while trying to break up a fight. The 36-year-old man from Greater Manchester, who asked to remain anonymous, says his vision has been reduced to 70% in his left eye after the glass was smashed in his face at a city centre pub.
A fight broke out between two men from two groups who were playing pool at the Piccadilly Tap on October 2 last year, having earlier watched the Manchester derby, which saw City beat United 6-3 at the Etihad Stadium. The victim was one of a number of people who stepped in to try and break up the fight, but was himself attacked when a man smashed a pint glass into his face.
"It's damaged the muscle in my pupil," he said. "I'm down to 70% vision in my left eye for life.
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"I'm an outpatient for two years to check it doesn't worsen, but it seems to have stabilised. It's not getting better."
British Transport Police (BTP) says the two groups of men had arrived separately at the pub, on Piccadilly Station Approach, following the match. Both groups began playing pool against each other at around 8pm before the fight broke out, involving one man from each group.
The attack with the pint glass has also left the victim with a scar on his face. "It knocks your confidence," he said.
"Your vision in one eye is blurred so it affects you day-to-day, in work, and doing anything. It's a knock on your confidence for sure, and it just affects your daily life."
Two weeks on from the attack, BTP released CCTV images of a man they wished to speak to in connection with the attack, but the appeal was unsuccessful. Now, the victim is renewing the appeal in the hope someone can provide vital information to finally bring the perpetrator to justice.
"It's been tough to take because the picture is fairly clear," he said. "Speaking to the police, they were confident that given the clarity of the picture we would have somebody ring up and say who he was, but unfortunately that never came to fruition."
Anyone who recognises the man in the CCTV images or has information on the attack is urged to contact BTP by texting 61016 or calling 0800 405040, quoting reference 428 of October 2, 2022. Alternatively, contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
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