A SECOND man has been arrested by police investigating an assault in Royston which left the victim with serious head injuries. A 24-year old Royston man sustained a broken jaw and serious head injuries in the attack, which occurred in the early hours of S

A SECOND man has been arrested by police investigating an assault in Royston which left the victim with serious head injuries.

A 24-year old Royston man sustained a broken jaw and serious head injuries in the attack, which occurred in the early hours of Sunday on Newmarket Road near the old Priory cinema site.

He was initially taken to the Lister hospital in Stevenage, but was subsequently transferred to the Royal Free Hospital in Hampstead, London, which is a specialist facility for dealing with head injuries.

His condition is critical, but not thought to be life-threatening.

It is believed that the attack took place between 1.30am - 2pm on Sunday. There was a verbal altercation between the victim and three other men, and following this, the victim fell to the ground, sustaining his injuries.

Officers cordoned off the area around the old cinema site for several hours on Sunday morning while they investigated the incident.

Detective constable Laura Talbot, from Hertfordshire Police, is investigating the incident.

She said: "We are appealing for anyone who has any information about this incident or anyone who witnessed the altercation take place to come forward.

"If you can help, please call the non-emergency number on 0845 33 00 222 quoting crime reference G4/10/64. Alternatively, you can call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111, quoting the same reference. All calls will be treated in the strictest confidence," she said.

One arrest had already been by officers investigating the assault.