Oxford St skater bashed and robbed of skateboard

SYDNEY: Police have released CCTV footage and are appealing for witnesses over a violent assault late last year on Oxford Street where a young man was bizarrely robbed of his skateboard and then attacked with it.

According to police, soon after 5am on Friday, December 7, 2012 a 21-year-old man carrying a skateboard was approached by another man as he walked west along Oxford Street near Liverpool Street, Darlinghurst.

The other man struck up a conversation with him before grabbing the skateboard and then allegedly using it as a weapon to strike the victim over the head with it. The alleged assault left the 21-year-old on the ground after he was knocked unconscious.

It is thought his attacker fled with the skateboard after being last seen entering a nearby taxi.

The injured man was treated by ambulance paramedics before being taken to St Vincent’s Hospital suffering from serious head injuries.

Detectives from Surry Hills Local Area Command have today released closed-circuit television images of a man who they believe may be able to assist with their inquiries.

The man depicted in the images is described as being of Pacific Islander/Maori appearance, 193cm tall with a solid or large build and a shaved head. He is depicted wearing a light blue long-sleeve shirt, light-coloured pants and white and black shoes.

Anyone with information about this incident should call Surry Hills detectives via Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.