Cheltenham racegoer charged with assault after two staff members ‘are attacked and left with facial injuries’

A CHELTENHAM racegoer has been charged with assault after an attack on two racecourse staff members.

The two workers were left with facial injuries after the attack linked to Prestbury Park on Tuesday, according to cops.

Horses race at Cheltenham today. A racegoer has been charged with assault after an attack on two racecourse staff membersSportsfile

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The two workers were left with facial injuries after the attack, according to cops (file image)[/caption]

Ryan Clarkson, 33, from Northampton, was charged but has since been released on bail.

He will appear at Cheltenham Magistrates’ Court on April 5.

In a separate incident, a man in his 50s was taken to Bristol’s Southmead Hospital with serious head injuries after an assault in the town centre. 

A drink was thrown in his face before a second man punched him, leaving him unconscious on Portland Street, between the town centre and the racecourse, at 6.50pm, an hour after racing ended.

Gloucestershire Police is appealing for witnesses.

A statement from Gloucestershire Police read: “Police are appealing for witnesses to come forward after an assault in Cheltenham on Tuesday evening left a man in hospital with serious injuries.

“The incident happened on Portland Street at around 6.50pm. A man was reported as initially throwing a drink into the face of the victim, before a second man then punched the same victim, causing him to fall to the floor unconscious.

“The victim, a man in his 50s, was taken to Southmead Hospital where he remains with serious head injuries.

“A 28-year-old man from the Telford area was arrested on suspicion of assault. He has been released on bail while enquiries continue.

“Officers are now appealing for anyone with information, or has mobile phone footage of the incident, to get in touch. They are particularly keen to speak to a man in a distinctive purple suit, who is believed to have been at the scene at the time.”

Cops were also called to an incident on the course on Tuesday which involved a man being hit with an umbrella in a bar.

Two racegoers were arrested on suspicion of being drunk and disorderly.

They were later released from police custody.