Cowardly attack

A disabled man who was knocked unconcious in a violent assault said he feared the attack could have made his brain injuries worse.

The 42-year-old, who damaged the left side of his brain in a motorcycle accident 21/2 years ago, returned to work on Monday after a week-long recovery.

The man, who asked not to be named, said he was now too scared to go out in Newark at night and would always drive into town, despite living only a five-minute walk from the centre.

He was walking home in the early hours after a night out in Newark when he was attacked.

He walks with a pronounced limp and said his assailant must have realised he had a disability, or thought he was drunk.

On Baldertongate he was grabbed from behind, spun around, sworn at during a demand for money and punched in the face.

He was knocked out and when he came round his wallet, mobile phone and a takeaway pizza he had bought were gone.

He staggered home and his housemate rang police. He was taken to Newark Hospital where his broken nose was reset.

A postman found the stolen wallet near Baker’s Oven in the Market Place.

Missing were £40, his driving licence and Co-op dividend card. The card, which had £1.17 on it, had been cashed in.

The man told the Advertiser: “It was a completely unprovoked attack. I had no chance to defend myself. It was cowardly.

“I was worried that the punch had aggravated my brain injury.

“I had a week off work because I couldn’t look at a computer screen for even five minutes.”

The incident happened at 12.45am on Sunday, June 21. The attacker is white and wore a white top, dark trousers and white trainers.

Detective Constable Michael Broddell, of Newark CID, said: “This was an extremely nasty, unprovoked assault.”

Police want to trace the driver of a Citroen Xsara Picasso that passed the scene at the time of the offence.

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact CID on 01636 605999 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.