Essex woman fears she 'could have lost eye' after attack

Annette Savill, 67, claims she was brutally assaulted after she attempted to photograph a group of teenagers, who “abused a woman” working in Rayleigh High Street’s Morrisons. 

However, she claims the group quickly turned on her and launched an attack.

The attack, which happened at 5pm on July 3, has not led to any arrests, according to Annette, and she is now speaking out in the hope of extra information coming to light.

According to Annette, a group of four girls “ganged up on her” and “hit” her until she was knocked out, leaving her with cuts to her face and a bleed behind her eye.  

Injury - Annette after the attack (Image: Annette Savill)

She said: “All I did was take a photo and I was attacked, it was a nightmare, I was absolutely shocked and once I got up from the attack, she went for me again.

“One put their arms around me to stop me protecting myself and they were on top of me and started beating me up, she started punching again and I was hit and knocked out.

“Blood was everywhere, there was a cut through my eye and my nose exploded.

“I fear I could have lost my eye. I had a bleed behind the eye and I’ve had a lot of issues with pain, there is a cut above the eyebrow.

“I just can’t come to terms with it, how would these girls feel about it being their grandmother involved?”

Attack - Annette in the street after the attack (Image: Annette Savill)

Rayleigh’s community has since rallied behind Annette following the attack and she has thanked them for supporting her, with taxi firm Bestax offering her pickups, Taylor Hairdressers offering her a massage and Marks and Spencer’s offering a box of chocolates.

Annette said: “This does show that some people do care.

“I’d love to thank the people of Rayleigh, I’ve met many do-gooders over the years and not everyone is the same.”

Essex Police have been contacted for comment. 

Call 101 with information.