THIS IS the man police want to speak to following a vicious unprovoked attack on a man in front of his horrified wife.

Officers investigating the assault have released this CCTV image of a man they believe could hold vital clues to catching the attacker.

Police have stressed that the man captured on camera is not a suspect and are urging him to come forward as soon as possible.

As previously reported, the 40-year-old victim had been a passenger in a car that was travelling along Kings Copse Avenue, in Hedge End, when it passed a group of three men and a woman.

One of the men from the group gestured at the car, as if he wanted a fight and when the victim was dropped off moments later, he was hit in the face by the same man.

The victim's wife tried to intervene in an attempt to stop the beating but she was pushed away.

It was only when the friends of the attacker tried to pull him away that he fled the scene, leaving the victim with cuts and bruises.

He is described as being white, aged in his late 20s to early 30s, of a large build, with short dark hair. He was wearing dark trousers and a white shirt.

PC Steven Misselbrook, from Hedge End police station, said: “Do you recognise the man in this CCTV image. We are not treating him as a suspect but believe he may have witnessed the assault and therefore may have important information.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact PC Misselbrook, at Hedge End police station, on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.