A MAN was taken to hospital after being beaten and kicked in the head in Littlemore.

Police were called to the parade of shops on St Nicholas Road where a 38-year-old man was hit from behind with some kind of weapon and then repeatedly kicked in the head while on the floor.

He was taken to the John Racliffe Hospital, Oxford, where he was treated for head and facial injuries, including eight stitches to a split lip. He has since been discharged.

The attack happened at about 2am on Sunday but details were only released this evening.

PC Ben Turner, from Oxford police, said: "This assault occurred in a built up area where there are lot properties overlooking the crime scene.

"If you live locally and saw or heard anything on Sunday morning, please get in touch.

"We believe the attacker knew his victim. This was a brutal, cowardly attack and we are determined to prosecute the man who did this."

PC Turner can be contacted via the Police Enquiry Centre on 0845 8 505 505.

If you don't want to talk to police and don't want to leave your name, call the Crimestoppers charity anonymously on 0800 555 111.