Father's fury after man who rained down blows on him as he cradled his three-month-old daughter is simply told to apologise by police
Zaid Smith, 22, and his family have been left furious over the lack of police action after the baby girl was admitted to hospital after the attack.
CCTV footage shows the shocking moment Zaid was repeatedly punched in the head on the street unable to defend himself while holding his child in his arms.
Greater Manchester Police confirmed the family had been told the offender had been given a conditional caution, which included writing letters of apology - as he had no previous convictions.
However, the force added that the incident was being 'reviewed' by a senior officer.
The attack happened as Zaid had arrived at a house in Withington at around 11am to take out his daughter, Ariella, for a walk on May 31.
The youngster's mother, Morgan Milward, 22, told Manchester Evening News: 'This young man has come on to the street, approached him, and totally unprovoked - they had no connection to each other - has started assaulting him in the head.
'He could not protect himself, as you can see in the video, because he is trying to protect the baby.
'He was taking blows to the head. He did have a lump on his head. He had marks on the back of his neck.
'The baby was admitted to hospital as she has been unwell since the incident. She has been irritable and crying a lot. We are awaiting results of tests. She was shaken quite a bit by what happened. She went to hospital yesterday.'
The attack ended when an male relative of Ariella came out of the house to intervene, she added.
She said: 'The police were called, the neighbours came out, everyone was completely shocked.
'The lad who made the assault was held by a neighbour until police arrived. The police arrested him, but we are not happy with the outcome.
'They told us it was his first offence he was not charged but got a bit of a slap on the wrist.
'All he has to do is write a letter of apology to the baby's father and to me - and he has been released.'
But Morgan, a third year student at the University of Law in Manchester, said she disagrees with the 'punishment' as she said it 'could have ended far worse for the baby'.
She continued: 'All the family is quite upset by that.
'Whether he is a first time offender or not the baby is just centimetres away from the punches. If he had hit her God knows what could have happened.
'Watching the video really upset me. As a first time mother it was very distressing. I think there needs to be some debate about this policy for first offenders.
'I think it is wrong, especially in a case like this. It needs to be discussed.'
Zaid's sister, Zarah, said: 'My brother was preparing to take my three-month-old niece for their daily walk when a man appeared from behind a car and approached him.
'He instructed my brother to place the baby down. My brother clarified that he was not putting the baby down but rather taking her inside to her mother.
'He began to punch my brother's head repeatedly while he held his baby, just a few centimetres away from her head. This could have resulted in serious injury.
'Fortunately, someone was in the house to intervene, allowing my brother to safely take his niece inside.
'The police were promptly called, and the man was taken into custody within 24 hours. However, he was later released and required to send a letter of apology to my brother and his partner. This was due to him being a first-time offender.'
She added that the the 'lack of appropriate action' has left her niece 'traumatised' and that she has been 'crying non-stop' following the incident.
'Her mother is shaken, and her father has sustained physical assault, including lumps and bruises on his head,' she said
Initially, GMP said the the matter had been resolved with the attacker being ordered to write letters of apology as part of a conditional caution.
However, a force spokesperson said: 'A resolution for this case has not been finalised and investigations are still ongoing.
'A full review of the evidence will take place by a supervisor and a criminal justice outcome will then be decided.
'This decision will be made with the views of the victim fully understood, with an officer reaching out to speak with them today to ensure this position is clear.
'The suspect is currently on police bail and is to return to us in July.'
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