A MAN was left with a fractured eye socket after being attacked by a gang of teenagers.

Fredrick Spinks, 75, was targeted in Charles Pell Road, Greenstead, Colchester. He was taken to Colchester General Hospital with a fractured eye socket and severe bruising to his face.

Mr Spinks was too fearful to talk about the attack yesterday.

Neighbours described him as a friendly man who has lived on the estate for more than 30 years. A woman who used to get help with her disabled husband from Mr Spinks said: “They seem to target us older people.

“I believe the kids used to shout at him a lot and it’s terrible he’s been attacked. If you start answering back, you don’t know what could happen. You have to be careful.”

Another woman, who asked not to be named, said: “I feel sorry for him, it’s terrible.

“Whoever did it are cowardly to do that to an old man like him. We used to have quite a lot of trouble up here, but it has quietened down more recently.”

Gary Sanderson, spokesman for the East of England Ambulance Service, said: “Words cannot describe what has happened and I hope the youths responsible for this despicable act are caught and brought to justice.”

Tim Young, borough councillor for St Andrew’s, said: “This is a very rare occurrence in Greenstead and it is a bit of a shock. Until we know more about where the perpetrators are from, it would be wrong to rush to judgment.”

Anyone with information about the attack, on Sunday at 2pm, can call police Colchester police 101.