A NON-LEAGUE footballer and aspiring model, who suffered horrific facial injuries when he was beaten up, has made his catwalk debut.

Richie Robins, 21, a goalkeeper for Wivenhoe Town, intervened when he saw a woman cornered by six thugs on a night out in Colchester.

He was attacked by the gang and was left needing reconstructive surgery on a broken eye socket and cheek bone.

A week before the attack, on December 21 last year, he had been spotted by a model scout at a fashion show.

He thought the injuries would signal a premature end to his modelling dream.

But after recovering from the attack, he has made his catwalk debut in London’s Mayfair.

For the full story, see Tuesday's Gazette