Police have arrested a man on suspicion of attempted murder in connection with the vicious beating of a 73-year-old security guard at a Brierley Hill factory.

The guard was attacked after challenging a man found near an office at Stokes Forgings, a metal factory in Vine Street, at around 1pm on Sunday (March 19).

The man was hit numerous times during a prolonged attack lasting around 15 minutes – and police believe he was also beaten with a shovel.

The guard was later discovered by a colleague who started work at about 7pm, which caused the factory unit to be sealed off by officers while forensic enquiries took place

The security guard remains in a critical condition in hospital.

A 44-year-old man, of no fixed address, was arrested at around 1am this morning (Tuesday, March 21) in the Holy Hall area of Dudley and is currently in police custody helping detectives with their enquiries.

Detective Inspector Colin Mattinson from Force CID said: “The security guard was left with serious head injuries and remains in a critical condition in hospital.

“Enquiries are on-going and I would ask anyone who saw anything in the Vine Street area on Sunday or anyone who has knowledge of this attack to call us as soon as possible on 101 or call Crimestoppers confidentially on 0800 555 111.”