What was meant to be a quiet morning walk for a new dad and his baby girl turned into a horrifying moment of violence—and now the family is speaking out after the attacker got what they feel is a shockingly soft response from the police.

Zaid Smith, 22, had just arrived at a home in Withington around 11 a.m. on May 31, planning to take his three-month-old daughter Ariella out for some fresh air.

But before he could even step onto the pavement, a stranger appeared and attacked him without warning—while he was holding his baby in his arms.

Caught on Camera: A Brutal Assault While Holding a Newborn

CCTV footage shows the terrifying moment Zaid was punched repeatedly in the head.

With his baby cradled in his arms, he couldn’t defend himself—his main priority was protecting little Ariella.

A relative eventually ran out of the house and intervened, stopping the assault.

Zaid’s partner, 22-year-old Morgan Milward, told Manchester Evening News that the man came out of nowhere.

“He just started attacking Zaid in the head for no reason,” she said.

“They didn’t even know each other.

You can see in the video, Zaid couldn’t protect himself because he was trying to shield the baby.”

Baby Hospitalized and Family Outraged

Following the attack, Ariella was admitted to the hospital.

According to Morgan, the baby has been unsettled, crying more than usual, and visibly shaken since the incident.

“We’re still waiting for test results, but she was definitely rattled by what happened,” she said.

Zaid suffered visible injuries too—lumps and marks on his head and neck.

But the emotional toll on the family has been just as intense.

Morgan said they were stunned when they found out the attacker wasn’t being charged.

Instead, police told them he was given a conditional caution—meaning he only has to write apology letters to Zaid and herself.

Police Say It’s a First Offense—Family Says It’s Not Enough

Greater Manchester Police (GMP) justified their decision by saying the attacker had no prior convictions.

But Morgan and the rest of the family believe that doesn’t matter in a case this serious.

“This wasn’t just a bar fight or a shouting match.

There was a three-month-old baby involved. One wrong move, and this could’ve ended with tragedy,” Morgan said.

“As a first-time mum, watching the footage was heartbreaking.

I think this whole ‘first offense’ policy needs to be looked at again.”

A Sister Speaks Out: “This Could Have Been So Much Worse”

Zaid’s sister, Zarah, shared her own account of what happened.

She said her brother was ambushed out of nowhere.

“The man told him to put the baby down.

Zaid explained he was just taking her inside.

That’s when he started punching him—while he was still holding the baby, just inches away from the blows.”

Zarah said her niece has been crying non-stop since the attack.

“The trauma is real.

My brother has visible injuries.

My niece is shaken.

My sister-in-law is overwhelmed.

And all the attacker has to do is write a letter?”

Police Now Say They’re Reviewing the Case

Initially, GMP stood by their decision.

But after public backlash and media attention, the force has now said the investigation is “still ongoing.”

“A resolution for this case has not been finalised,” a GMP spokesperson confirmed.

“A full review of the evidence will take place, and we’ll ensure the victim’s perspective is fully heard.

An officer will be in touch with the family.”

The attacker remains on police bail and is expected to return in July for further developments.

What Comes Next?

For now, Zaid and his family are hoping for real justice—and for their daughter to recover from the trauma.

They’re also calling for a wider conversation about how seriously first-time violent offenses are handled, especially when they involve children.

Morgan put it simply: “He may not have a record, but that shouldn’t erase the fact that he attacked a father holding his baby.

We were lucky this time—but what about the next?”