A 24-year-old Oxley Vale man stands accused of the violent assault and has been charged with numerous offences.

He was captured shortly after in Tamworth by the dog squad, after allegedly attacking a police officer who tried to arrest him.

The 41-year-old victim was recovering in Tamworth hospital from head injuries on Friday after he was attacked in the early hours of New Year's Day.

READ ALSO:

The incident unfolded shortly before 1.45am on Friday when emergency services were called to the taxi rank in Brisbane Street in the CBD after reports a man had been assaulted.

Police claim a 41-year-old man and a 50-year-old man were waiting at the rank for a lift when they were confronted by the 24-year-old man.

An argument broke out and the younger man, from Oxley Vale, is alleged to have punched the 50-year-old.

He then allegedly turned on the 41-year-old man and punched him. The man fell backwards and hit his head on a wooden bench seat, and was immediately knocked unconscious.

Ambulance paramedics treated both men at the scene, while the Oxley Vale man left the rank.

The 41-year-old was treated for lacerations to his face and back and head injuries. He was taken to Tamworth hospital where doctors discovered he had suffered a bleed on the brain.

He remained in hospital on Friday but his condition was not known.

The 50-year-old was treated for minor injuries at the scene by paramedics and also taken to Tamworth hospital for observation.

Police were called and set up a crime scene at the taxi rank. Officers then tracked the 24-year-old man to Bridge Street.

Police claim he failed to comply with their requests and said they were forced to deploy capsicum spray. The man allegedly continued to struggle with police and freed himself and ran from the scene.

Officers called for back-up and the Tamworth dog squad was deployed. The 24-year-old was arrested by the dog and taken to Tamworth hospital for treatment for puncture wounds to his leg, which he suffered in the arrest.

He was released from hospital and taken to Tamworth Police Station where he was later charged with several offences including wounding a person with intent to cause grievous bodily harm - a charge that carries a maximum penalty of 25 years' imprisonment, if found guilty.

He also faces charges of assault occasioning actual bodily harm; common assault; assaulting police; resisting arrest; and inmate escape escape from lawful custody.

The man was granted conditional bail and has been ordered to front Tamworth Local Court later this month.