A RUNNER was struck with a glass bottle as she desperately attempted to flee an alcopop-drinking gang of teenagers after they ambushed and attacked her.

The woman, who has asked to remain anonymous, was heading home from an evening run with her Colchester running club shortly after 8.10pm last Tuesday.

As she headed towards Asda she was confronted by three young boys and one girl who were straddling a path leading from Leete Drive to Petrolea Close.

One of the hooligans is said to have stood in front of her, refusing to let her pass, while another doused her in a liquid believed to have been an alcoholic drink.

Gazette:

After her survival instinct kicked-in, as the circling gang threatened to punch her, a struggle ensued as the woman tried to grab the bottle of alcopop.

She then decided to sprint away from the assailants but was hit in the lower back after one of cowardly youngsters launched a glass bottle at her.

“I turned around and he'd already legged it with his girlfriend through the tunnel under the railway line,” add the woman.

“The other two twits had followed me wanting to keep up with the action, they mumbled something, but I turned and left them to it.

“These things happen so fast it is difficult to take in details but my head torch was on so I got a very good look at his face. I will remember his face.

“I hope his parents are proud of him.”

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The woman, who has reported the incident to Essex Police, now fears the impact the gang’s action may have had on a victim not as mentally strong as her.

She said: “It is not acceptable to detain, accost or assault people in the street - I was just minding my own business. What kind of generation are we raising?

“More importantly my mind always goes to the victims of this type of attack who are psychologically traumatised.

“We need to do better in raising our children and our younger generations need to do better.

"One day someone will get very seriously injured by these people if this is allowed to continue unchecked."

Essex Police are now investigating the assault.

A spokesman said: "We are investigating an assault reported to have taken place shortly after 8.10pm on Tuesday 17 January.

"A woman reported an altercation took place when a group of four people in Petrolea Close, Colchester, refused to let her pass. The victim reported alcohol and a bottle was thrown at her.

"Anyone who has any information about the incident is asked to call 101 and quote crime reference 42/10060/23."