A FATHER who suffered a brutal beating in an alleyway in Colchester said the attack left him “scared to the core”.

The 26-year-old was walking home from work when two teenage thugs approached him in the Greenstead estate, tried to steal his mobile phone and launched into the unprovoked attack.

The St John’s resident, who does not wish to be named, was left with severe bruising round his face.

He said: “I was talking to my wife on my phone at the time when these two lads crossed over the road towards me.

“I hung up and put the phone in my inside pocket. I had just gone into the alleyway when they shouted I had bumped into them, which I hadn’t.

“One of them ran in front of me and told me to give him my phone. I said no.

“I tried to walk past him and that’s when the other lad grabbed me by my hood and pulled me down to the ground.

“They started to kick ten bells out of me.”

Although he tried to fight back, the victim was repeatedly kicked in the head and left on the floor when the two thugs grabbed his phone and fled.

He said: “It scared me to my core. I knew what was going to happen. I was just trying to find the opportunity to run.

“I have got nasty bruises to my cheek and my right eye is pretty much black.

“I’m now nervous to go outside and work has allowed me to have some time off.”

He added: “I want the lads to be found by the police as soon as possible. I want them in court.

“If you’re walking home at night, make sure you have someone with you, or use your phone before you go outside.

“I don’t want this to happen to anyone else.”

The attack happened at 9.25pm on Thursday in an alleyway between Blackthorn Avenue and Conifer Close.

The attackers are described as in their late teens, both 5ft 9 to 10ins tall and of skinny build. One was white and the other of mixed race and both were wearing dark-coloured hooded tops.

If you can help call PC Amanda Beck at Colchester Target Offender Team on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.