Man knocked to the ground after sickening punch in appalling city centre violence

A man was knocked unconscious after one sickening punch amid violent scenes in a city centre.

Shocking photos show fracas break out in central on Saturday, during which the victim, clutching a Ukrainian flag, was floored following the single blow. Horrified passers-by saw the violence unfold along New Street, near the famous Bullring shopping centre.

Police confirmed the man was rushed to hospital and officers are now investigating the assault, which was caught on camera by shocked shoppers. In the footage, a sickening thud can be heard as the blow connects and sends the man crashing to the ground as stunned onlookers call out "oh s**t" and "oh my days." The clip continues, showing the the man motionless on the floor.

Witnesses said the man regained consciousness after some time and he was eventually aided by members of the public. He needed treatment in hospital, but his injuries "are not life-changing," added.

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A spokesperson for said: "We're investigating after a man was assaulted on New Street in Birmingham around 7.20pm on Saturday 17 May.

"The man was taken to hospital with injuries which are not life-changing. Our enquiries are ongoing and we are reviewing footage of the incident. Anyone with information should contact us via Live Chat on our website or by calling 101 quoting 20/244072/25."

One witness said the violence erupted after the two men had goaded each other in the street. The victim was holding a Ukrainian flag, which the witness said may have played a part in the taunts.

The onlooker, who did not wish to be named, said: "People did eventually come to help the guy who got knocked out and then there were sirens. The guy with the flag was kind of taunting the other guy for a long time and then the other guy just ended up hitting him."

It comes after . Jamie Kelly sustained the horrific injuries at a pedestrian crossing in mid-afternoon, another attack caught on camera. The then 41-year-old man had the left side of his skull taken away to alleviate the pressure of a bleed on the brain, which would otherwise have killed him.

In a victim personal statement, Jamie's mother Brenda, from Spennymoor, County Durham, said: "When I look at my son what I should see, what I want to see, is a strong, fit, happy independent 41-year-old man.

“But all I do see, due to a violent punch that Daniel Johnson inflicted on him, is a shell of a man. A man who has to drink from a non-spill sippy cup, who needs help eating because of tremors wrack his entire body. He can't go to the toilet or shower himself."