A grandfather was today nursing 25 stitches in his cheek after he was savagely beaten by children who slashed his face.

Badly bruised - Alan Howett Picture: MAXINE CLARKE

Alan Howett, 69, of Basildon, was attacked by a gang of four children aged between 12 and 14 while watching bowls at Whitmore Park in Basildon.

Alan who weighs just ten stone, is convinced the "animals" used a screwdriver to cut his face from the corner of his eye down to his jaw.

Retired Alan, of Matching Green, who has lived in Basildon for 40 years, also received heavy bruising to his chest and stomach during the attack.

"I think they cut me with a screwdriver because the wound was wide, but not particularly deep. It's amazing no bones were broken."

After the attack, which happened around 2pm on Monday, Alan managed to stumble back to his home just a few hundred yards away.

Once through the front door he yelled for his wife, Sheila, and collapsed in a heap.

His only son Grahame, 38, of Sandon Close, Basildon, is still stunned. He said: "I am annoyed and upset with the police who have still not been around to see him."

An Essex police spokesperson said: "The delay in contact with the victim is purely to do with the nature of the officer's shift week. It will be the officer who originally took the statement who will follow it through to ensure consistency."

Published Thursday August 12, 2004

Brought to you by the Evening Echo