A MAN was threatened with a knife, attacked by a gang of men and robbed of his £8,000 Rolex watch.

Chris White, 29, was punched to the ground and repeatedly kicked by muggers who stole his iPhone, cash and the watch, a 21st birthday present from his late grandmother.

The attack only ended when a group of men came to Mr White’s rescue. He was taken to Colchester General Hospital intensive care unit, but received the all clear after scans.

Mr White, a lawyer from Dedham, said: “For anyone to receive that type of beating is terrible.

You never think it will happen to you. I consider myself lucky to have got out with black eyes and bruises. If they had used the knife, I could have been brain damaged, or worse.

“I’d also like to meet the guys who helped me. They probably saved me from long-term injuries.”

One suspect is described as a white man, 6ft and of athletic build. Anyone who witnessed the incident, at 3.20am on Sunday morning on Crouch Street, should call Colchester police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

See Friday's Gazette for more.