THE shocked family of a 62-year-old man, who was beaten up in a brutal street attack, is urging people to come forward with information.

Matloob Hussain suffered cuts and bruises to his head and face when he was repeatedly punched without warning as he took his daily walk.

His son, Mohammed Hussain, 31, condemned the assault and called on anyone who could help catch the culprit to contact police.

His father was walking in Great Horton Road, near to the Mumtaz restaurant and the post office, when a man came up and started punching him.

Mr Hussain said: "Dad is diabetic and his doctor has told him to take more walks. He was huffing and puffing up the hill when this guy just appeared and started hitting him.

MORE TOP STORIES

"The attacker didn't say anything. I don't know why he did it."

He said the attacker walked off when a car stopped and one of the occupants asked what he was doing.

Mr Hussain said: "Dad managed to get himself home. He had cuts to the top of his head and was covered in blood. He was dizzy and we called out an ambulance and the police and he was taken to Bradford Royal Infirmary."

He said his father was recovering at home but was not his normal self.

"He is just sat at home. He has cuts and bruises. He was patched up, but it could have been worse. He could have died," he added.

Mr Hussain, who lives with his parents and younger brother in Rugby Place, Lidget Green, said his father was retired and a grandfather.

"He just goes out to pray, and get the shopping. The community loves him," he said.

Mr Hussain urged the people in the car, and anyone else who witnessed the incident or has information about it, to call the police.

"The car stopped as the attack was taking place. There were two or three men in it and one of them got out and asked the guy what he was doing. He ran away and the man jumped back in the car and it was driven away. The people in the car must have seen what happened, and the attacker, and I ask them to tell the police" he said.

Police said they were arranging for an interpreter to help take a statement from the victim. Officers have spoken to a man in connection with the incident, which happened between 8pm and 8.30pm, on Tuesday, January 19.

A West Yorkshire Police spokesman said: "Police have contacted the 60-year-old suspect in this matter and are making arrangements with his solicitor to attend at a police station for further questioning."