A GOOD samaritan who helped prevent a woman's abduction was assaulted by the three men who had tried to bundle her into a car.

The woman was walking along Bradshawgate when three men attempted to pull her into a car at the junction with Nelson Square shortly before 7am on Sunday, October 16.

The woman managed to avoid being put into the vehicle and started to get away when one of the men tried to pull her towards him.

Another man, who had seen the three offenders pursuing the woman, intervened and asked them to leave her alone, but he was then assaulted by the three offenders.

He was knocked to the ground after being struck from behind, before being punched and kicked to the head and body.

The man suffered a broken jaw, which required surgery.

One of them was described as white, more than 5ft 8ins-tall, of skinny build, with short, brown hair swept to the side. There are no descriptions of the other two.

Detective Constable Jacqueline Hulme, of GMP’s Bolton borough, said: “This was a distressing incident which left a woman traumatised and a man requiring surgery.

“Not only did the woman go through the ordeal of almost being shoved into a vehicle by three men, but she then also witnessed a brutal assault on the good samaritan who came to her aid.

“The man was outnumbered and attacked while he lay defenceless on the floor.

“I am appealing to anyone who witnessed the incidents, or saw three men acting suspiciously in the area around this time, to please get in touch.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact police and quote the reference number 639 of 16/10/16, or contact Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.