A MAN who tried to stop a woman being punched by her partner was knocked unconscious and stamped on in Accrington town centre.

Gerard Mulholland, 26, of Fern Gore, had been out with his brother-in-law and friends in Church Street when he saw another man lash out at a woman.

As he tried to calm the situation, he was punched to the floor and had his head and body stamped on. He lost a tooth in a ‘brutal attack’.

And detectives have appealed directly to the attacker's partner to come forward.

The incident happened on May 3, at 5.30am, outside Industry Nightclub, but police have only just released the details in a bid to trace the couple involved.

Mr Mulholland said: “Of course I’d do the same thing again. I don’t like bullies and would always intervene, but what he did was totally out of order.

"I saw him punch her and her head rock back.

“That’s why I intervened and said ‘calm down, there’s no need for that’. Then I asked the girl if she was alright, but she didn’t have time to respond.

“He hit me from the blind side and the next thing I was coming round on the floor, bleeding.”

Despite the ferocity of the attack, Gerard only suffered cuts and bruises. However, he spat out a tooth after the assault and is awaiting further dentistry work.

Detectives are appealing for the woman with blonde hair who saw her partner carry out the vicious assault, close to the taxi rank in Church Street, to come forward.

The suspect is described as white, stocky, with a bald head and was wearing dark clothes.

Detective Inspector Claire Holbrook said: “This was an extremely vicious attack where a man was punched and stamped on repeatedly.

“There is a woman out there who will have this horrendous incident ingrained on her thoughts. I appeal to that lady do the right thing and come forward. It may not be the first time he has displayed that degree of anger. He clearly needs to face his responsibilities."

Anyone with information can contact police on 0845 1 25 35 45 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.