AN UXBRIDGE shopkeeper was violently attacked when he challenged a shoplifter on Monday.
Detectives are appealing for help to trace 32-year-old John Donovan, from the Hillingdon area, after the assault at a shop in Moorfield Road at 8.17pm.
The incident left a 56-year-old man with serious head and facial injuries.
Detective Sergeant Pete Boyd from Hillingdon CID, who is leading the investigation, said: "This was a particularly vicious assault which has left the victim with significant and lasting injuries.
"I am appealing to anyone who knows the whereabouts of John Donovan to contact police as we urgently need to speak to him about this attack."
The shopkeeper was struck with two bottles when he tried to stop a man stealing them, said police.
He was taken by ambulance to a west London hospital, where he remained in a serious condition yesterday afternoon.
Anyone with information should call DS Boyd on 020 8246 1732 quoting reference 0911344/16, or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
For a direct sighting of John Donovan, dial 999.
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