A PUBGOER was pounced on during his walk home by a man in black lurking in the dark.

23-year-old Haydn McDowall was attacked by a balaclava-clad man who used reinforced black metal gloves to strike him in the face repeatedly.

Police are appealing for information.

Mr McDowall, of Layer De La Haye, said: “I had been at the Brewers’ enjoying a night out during the karaoke.

“I was walking back up Mersea Road and turned into Napier Road and was crossing Abbeyfields.

“I felt a smack on the back of my head, hard enough to make my brain rattle.

“Then I was punched over my right eye.

“I went down.

“He had a balaclava on, a black hoodie, black gloves, black shoes, black jogging bottoms.

“He was waiting in the dark for someone to attack.”

Mr McDowall hung onto his bag, which was wrapped around his neck.

“There was metal in his gloves and he was after the bag but I held on for dear life,” he said.

“I was shouting for help and he smacked me again in the eye.

“He said ‘lets go” to someone and left.”

The attempted robber is large, muscular and about 6ft to 6ft 2ins tall.

Mr McDowall suffered a suspected fractured cheek bone, facial swelling and brain trauma.

He said the attack, between 11pm on Friday, July 8 and 1.30am on Saturday, had affected some of his memory Mr McDowall added: “I am frustrated and upset it happened.

“All I was doing was going home.

“It could have been anyone and other people have been attacked in the same place.

“Anyone who has been attacked, don’t be scared to come forward to police.

“There are people out there doing this and the more the police know the better the chance of them catching them.

“I can’t remember holding my daughter for the first time.

“I hope it is temporary amnesia.”

Witnesses or anyone with information call PC John Mason at Colchester CID on 101.