DETECTIVES today appealed for witnesses to a savage beating which left a man in hospital with serious facial injuries.

The victim was walking along Church Road, Basildon, by Cherry Tree Primary School at around 5am on Monday.

A car suddenly pulled up alongside him and three men got out. Without warning, all three men began to viciously beat the victim before getting back into the vehicle and driving off.

The victim made his way to Basildon Hospital's accident and emergency unit where he was treated for a fractured eye socket and a suspected broken jaw and cheek.

He was later transferred to Southend Hospital for treatment.

Published Wednesday, November 30, 2005