A DISABLED mum is appealing for help to find the man who brutally assaulted her in her own home.

Carol McLaren, 49, of Colchester, was kicked so violently in the back and stomach she could not walk and was in hospital for days.

Detectives hunting the attacker have released an e-fit of the man.

Gazette:

Mrs McLaren, who had never seen the man before, said: “My husband and son were at football and I was relaxing when there was a knock at the door. I opened it and he asked if I was Carol.

“I said yes and he forced me in and knocked me to the floor.

“While CDs fell on my head, he kicked me in the back and then repeatedly in the stomach until I couldn’t move. He really put the boot in.”

Mrs McLaren, of Moy Road, Monkwick, is registered disabled after breaking her back three years ago. When out, she walks with crutches or a frame.

After the attack, paramedics took her to Colchester General Hospital and she was released later that night.

But her internal injuries worsened and the next day, when she could not walk, she was taken to Queen’s Hospital, in Romford, where she spent five days.

She said: “I was slowly getting better until the attack and this has put me right back. Now I am terrified in my own home.

“I can’t be on my own. I have to keep all the doors locked and won’t answer unless someone else is here.”

She said her husband, Peter, and 17- year-old son, Craig, felt guilty about being out when the attacker beat her but she said it was not their fault.

She said: “They feel bad, but he is to blame. “You don’t expect this to happen. When I go out I keep thinking I will see him.

“I just want him caught. He can’t be allowed to get away with this.”

The thug struck at about 8.30pm on November 13.

The e-fit was released last week, but no arrests have been made.

Mrs McLaren has now chosen to speak out to get justice. She is not clear why she was attacked.

A police spokesman said: “The attacker is described as having his two front teeth missing.

“He also strongly smelt of body odour.’’ Anyone with information is asked to contact Pc Hayley Langmead, at Colchester police station, on 101 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.