An horrific assault by a gang of up to 15 young thugs has left a Hutton man with severe injuries and could lead to him being partially blinded in one eye.

Greg Brown, 30, has also lost his job and may have to give up work as a hod carrier, following the senseless and unprovoked attack.

Police are hunting the culprits, who are described as being around 16 or 17-years-old, perhaps even younger, and are appealing for witnesses or anyone with information to come forward.

The vicious assault occurred at the junction of Ingrave Road and Queens Road, Brentwood, at around 11pm on Friday February 23.

Mr Brown said he had been out for a drink with friends that evening before leaving them and walking alone along Ingrave Road.

"As I was walking down the road about five youths approached me and just started taunting me, asking if I could fight," he said. "I just ignored them and carried on walking and when I got to the Cathedral it seemed as if a lot more of them came out of nowhere.

"They just surrounded me and started saying things like 'shall we stab him?' and 'shall we cut his throat?'" Obviously I knew I was in trouble then.

"A rock was thrown at me which hit me in the left eye, then they started to punch me and kick me. I fell to the ground and they were like animals after that. They were kicking me in the head, about the body and in the back while I was on the floor."

He added: "It must have gone on for about three to four minutes. While I was down there they were saying 'stab him' and I was thinking 'I don't want to be stabbed.'"

Thankfully, a minicab driver stopped and he and his passengers pulled Mr Brown to safety. He then drove him to Brook Street, where they were met by an ambulance which took Mr Brown to Oldchurch Hospital, where he spent the night.

He received 13 stitches around his left eye, and also suffered a broken nose and injuries to his head, back, legs and hands.

He is being treated by his GP, Harold Wood Hospital and the specialist Moorfield Eye Hospital and has been warned that he may not regain full sight in his left eye. He believes his injuries may force him to give up hod carrying and find another trade.

Mr Brown said he wanted to thank the taxi driver and his passengers, "because they risked getting hurt themselves, and if it wasn't for them I could be dead."

Anyone with information should call Brentwood Police on 01277 262212 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111

Hurt: Mr Brown

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