Police bid to identify man on hospital CCTV

Detectives investigating how a metal theft suspect suffered 60 per cent burns have released this image of a man they would like to speak to.

The man was burned from ankle to scalp during the alleged theft at the Granada Industrial Estate in Churchbridge, Oldbury, in the early hours of November 12.

Police now want to speak to a man they believe drove him to City Hospital in Birmingham.

CCTV footage shows the bare-chested man – who gave the name Ciprian Baciu to medical staff – at the hospital in the early hours of November 12.

It is understood the driver dropped off the burns victim, who remains in a critical condition at City Hospital, but then disappeared when the victim was transferred to a specialist unit at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham. Police want to trace him in the hope he can shed light on how the man suffered such extensive injuries.

DS Carl Russell, said: "We need to speak to this man regarding how he came into contact with the burns victim and to assist our inquiry. He arrived and left in a black Ford Focus which he drove off along Dudley Road towards Smethwick; this car has since been seized by officers.

"I would urge him to come forward as he may be able to help us learn more about the patient and enable us to contact his friends and family."

The injured man, whose burns are consistent with an electric shock, arrived in hospital at 2.20am just before power supply interruptions were reported in the Oldbury area.

An electricity sub-station on the industrial estate was later found badly damaged and stripped of copper wire.

DS Russell added: "The man, who we believe is of eastern European origin, is still in a very bad condition. He suffered extensive burns from his ankles up to his scalp.

"Sub-stations have huge voltages running through them, and anyone tampering with them or trying to steal metal are putting their life on the line. It's the ultimate risk to take and often for relatively little gain, sometimes just a few pounds in scrap value."

Anyone with information should contact DS Carl Russell at West Midlands Police Force CID at Harborne police station on 0345 113 5000.