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A man lay in the street for almost an hour with a fractured skull and swelling on his brain after a vicious one-punch attack in Belfast city centre, his devastated partner has said.

The 35-year-old had been having a smoke while waiting for a train home after spending the day with pals for a friend’s birthday on Saturday.

But he was left with serious head injuries after being targeted in an unprovoked assault in the Great Victoria Street area at about 9pm, his girlfriend told Belfast Live.

His partner, who did not want to be named, said: "The CCTV noticed two fellas going up to him.

“Police said they started an altercation. One of the fellas took a thump at him and he fell.

“At ten to ten he was found by somebody who thought he just had too much to drink.

“They got him to hospital and he was sent for X-rays.

“They realised he had swelling to the brain. About 4am the doctor came to see him and said he had a fractured skull, bleeding to the brain and a dislocated elbow.”

The victim remains in hospital with no memory of the incident. Nothing was taken from the man after he was felled.

His girlfriend said he remained very confused, with concerns over whether he will make a full recovery.

She added: “He is so quiet. He would do anything for anyone. He doesn’t go out that much on his own. I just want them to know what they have done.

“They didn’t get anything from it. This has changed our whole lives.”

The victim is continuing to recover at the Royal Victoria Hospital.

Detectives have appealed for information following the attack.

The culprit is described as being about 20 years old, approximately 5’9” tall, of slim build with short black hair and was wearing a white tracksuit top and black tracksuit bottoms. He made off on foot in the direction of Hope Street.

Detective Inspector Nigel Snoddy said: “I would ask anyone who knows anything about this incident is asked to contact detectives at Musgrave Police Station on the non-emergency number 101.

"Or if someone would prefer to provide information without giving their details, they can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers and speak to them anonymously on 0800 555 111.”

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