CCTV footage showing a man punching a teenage girl to the ground for rejecting him has been released as police hunt the perpetrator.
Gabrielle Walsh, 18, went to hospital for an eye injury after she reportedly told the man, who was following her: "I'm sorry, I'm not interested."
Greater Manchester Police (GMP) are seeking three men filmed on CCTV in Manchester city centre at around 3.30am on July 13.
The offender, along with two other men, then launched an attack on a man Mrs Walsh was accompanying.
Senior Investigating Officer, Constable Ben Lomax of GMP’s City Centre Division said: “We have released this shocking footage in the hope it helps us identify those responsible for this appalling and cowardly attack.
“Clearly, there were numerous people who not only witnessed this attack but will have seen the three men hastily departing the scene shortly afterwards.
“Several good Samaritans came to the aid of the victims shortly after this attack, for which we are grateful.
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“Imagine if you or a member of your family was subjected to this kind of violence? You would quite rightly hope the perpetrators are caught.
“We want to speak to the three men who are highlighted running from the area shortly after the attack in this footage.
“Do you recognise them or the clothes they are wearing? One in particular has a distinctive way of running. Their clothes, too, are quite distinctive.
“Perhaps you saw three people like this earlier on during that evening, or later in the night.
“If you know something, please get in touch as soon as possible.”
Anyone with information should call police on 0161 856 3221 quoting incident 2513 of 14/07/19 or anonymously through Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.