A have-a-go hero who saved a woman he saw screaming for help vowed he'd do the same again - despite being punched and bitten by her attacker.

Witham-based cabbie Richard Hearn was attacked when he tried to help the woman, who was being dragged by a man threatening her.

The incident happened at the Ironworks car park, in Fullbridge, Maldon, on Saturday at around 8pm.

When the father-of two tried to intervene the man hit him in the face and sank his teeth into his leg.

Mr Hearn thinks he was hit with a glass ashtray and remembers a big flash as he tried to help.

He said: "He just came towards me shouting and was drunk and we wrestled for a bit. I could not see afterwards because there was blood in my eye," he added.

Mr Hearn suffered a black eye, cuts and a scratched eyeball - but said he would do the same again.

"I'd do it again without hesitation. She was a slight girl and as a parent I could not just stand there and watch," he said.

Mr Hearn, 33, was taken to Chelmsford's Broomfield Hospital and released the next day after treatment. The woman was unhurt in the incident.

Police are keen to hear from witnesses. Sgt Richard Bowler, of Maldon police, said: "It was a nasty and unprovoked assault on a passing good Samaritan."

Anyone who has any information can call Maldon police on 01621 852255 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111

A 21-year-old Heybridge man was questioned by police and released on bail pending further inquiries after the alleged incident.

Hero - Witham-based cabbie Richard Hearn

Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.