Homeless man set on fire in his sleep in underpass
A man believed to have been sleeping rough in Birmingham has been seriously injured after he was set on fire.
Detectives say the victim, who is in his 30s, was asleep in an underpass when his attacker set his bedding alight and piled it on top of him.
The incident happened just after 9.20am last Tuesday near where the Hockley Hill carriageway passes over Boulton Middleway, a short distance from the city centre.
The man suffered potentially life-changing injuries to his face and hands and remains in hospital in a stable condition.
West Midlands Police have released an image of an e-scooter rider they are trying to trace in connection with the incident.
In a statement, the force said: ‘We know this image isn’t very clear, and we are working to find further CCTV opportunities, but we hope that this image may prompt someone to come forward with information.
It said the man in the photo was ‘described as white, 5ft 5in, and wearing a white vest, white hoodie, black gloves, grey jogging bottoms, black shoes and wearing chains.’
No further details of the incident, such as whether the suspected attacker acted alone or with others, have been released.
Detectives have urged anyone with information to get in touch via Live Chat online or call 101, quoting crime reference 20/972160/23.
Crimestoppers can also be contacted anonymously on 0800 555 111.
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