A MAN is in hospital with head injuries after being seriously assaulted in the early hours of Sunday morning.

Bartholomew Square, Brighton, was cordoned off by police for much of yesterday as forensics searched for clues following what is believed to have been a vicious attack.

The 30-year-old victim was said to have been involved in a verbal altercation with three men.

They then ran off in the direction of The Mesmerist public house.

The man is thought to have been in a serious condition when he was spotted by a passerby in the early hours of Sunday morning.

An ambulance was called shortly after 2.30am to the Bartholomew Square behind the seafront Thistle Hotel.

The victim underwent surgery and is currently still being treated at the RSCH.

The north side of the normally busy square was cordoned off for most of Sunday and officers made door to door enquires in the area to try and establish what had happened.

The incident took place on one of the city's busiest nights of the year with Pride parties being held in the area. However, it is not clear if the incident involved Pride revellers.

Police say there is no suggestion of it being a homophobic attack.

A Sussex Police spokesman said last night: "We were alerted by ambulance crews who attended a report of an injured male lying on the floor following what is believed to be an assault.

"This male has a head injury and is currently undergoing treatment at the Royal Sussex County Hospital.

"Officers attended and the area was secured for forensic examination."

Karl Jones, owner of Moshimo sushi restaurant in Bartholomew Square, said he had been told by police that the man was in a "serious condition" when found.

He said: "Police are being very closed-mouth about what is happening, but we've been told they found a man who was in a pretty bad state, but he's not dead.

"Although at one stage apparently it was feared he would be.

"I was told then that he was conscious, thankfully.

"They [police] said it was a major assault."

A man, who lives in the area but asked not to be named, said he had heard others talking about it on Sunday morning.

He said: "I heard there were four guys having a fight and one of them ended up on the floor."

Anyone who saw what happened or who may have other information is asked to email 101@sussex.pnn.police.uk or phone 101, quoting serial 220 of August 2.
 
Alternatively witnesses can call the independent charity Crimestoppers without having to leave their name on 0800 555 111.