POLICE are appealing for witnesses after a man and woman sustained serious injuries when they were attacked with a bottle in Witham last month.

The two victims were walking down Newland Street at around 12.30am on May 25 when they were approached by a man asking if they could spare any cigarettes.

After the pair declined, the assailant launched into an unprovoked and brutal attack that saw the male victim struck in the neck several times and the woman suffer a cut to her hand.

They were both taken to hospital for their injuries and they have since been discharged.

The following day Essex Police arrested a 39-year-old man from Colchester on suspicion of grievous bodily harm and actual bodily harm.

He has now been released on bail until June 21 and police are now trying to identify the driver of a BMW and a group of people who stopped and assisted the victims following the assault.

Anyone with information is asked to call Braintree CID on 101 quoting crime reference 42/82075/19 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.