VICIOUS thugs stamped and kicked a man who had already been knocked unconscious in an unprovoked attack.

Police are appealing for information after a 56-year-old man was attacked during a street robbery in Elm Crescent, Greenstead.
 

Officers were called just after midnight on Sunday, December 23.
The victim was flung to the floor and knocked out.
 

His attackers then proceeded to repeatedly kick and stamp on the defenceless man causing several injuries to his head and also broken bones in his hand and thumb.
 

The robbers then ran off with hundreds of pounds in cash.
 

A couple of hours later a second robbery occurred, this time in Morant Road at the junction of Wimpole Road.
 

Robbers grabbed a 20-year-old by the neck just before 2.30am as he walked along the road.
 

He tried to fight off his attacker but his wallet was stolen during the struggle.
 

The assailant is white aged in his mid-20s, approximately 6ft 2ins tall, has broad shoulders, is of slim build and has short, ginger hair.
 

He was wearing blue jeans, a black long-sleeved top and a dark hooded jacket underneath.
 

Anyone with information about either robbery call Colchester detectives on 101.

See the full story in Friday's Gazette.