SHAKEN but defiant, attack victim Caz Perkins today told how she came within inches of suffering serious head injuries when an armed gang set upon her and her friends.

SHAKEN but defiant, attack victim Caz Perkins today told how she came within inches of suffering serious head injuries when an armed gang set upon her and her friends.

The 25-year-old from Ipswich was walking through the grounds of Suffolk College near Grimwade Street after a night out in the town centre when the five men pounced.

One was armed with a piece of metal attached to a chain and during a frightening scuffle Miss Perkins was struck around the head and body.

She suffered cuts to the back of her head and multiple cuts and bruises on her arms as she tried to protect herself from her frenzied attackers.

Miss Perkins said: “I was being hit by something. I thought it was a lump of wood at first but then I saw it looked like a cylinder head from a car engine but smaller. There was a chain attached to it so he could swing it.”

The attack happened when the petrol station worker was walking home with three female friends and a male friend after a night out at Fire and Ice nightclub and bar in Tacket Street at about 2.20am on Thursday.

As they walked through the college they were approached by the gang of men who started verbally abusing them.

Miss Perkins said: “They were being very aggressive towards us. I turned around to one of them and said 'what is your problem?'.

“He kicked me to the ground.”

Despite being grounded by the kick to her stomach Miss Perkins immediately thought about protecting her friends.

She said: “I grabbed hold of his coat and pushed him up against the fence. I wasn't scared. I was just very angry.”

As she held the ringleader, his four accomplices set about hitting her about the head and she was again hit with the metal bar.

After her friends pulled them off her the men got into a red car, thought to be a Ford Escort, and drove away. Miss Perkins was taken to hospital by ambulance and treated for her injuries.

Police are appealing for help in tracking the men, who were all described as Asian.

One was about 6ft tall, of thin build with gelled black hair. He wore glasses, a light beige duffel coat and blue jeans.

Another was about 5ft 5in tall, with a chubby build and a lazy eye.

Anyone with information about the attack or the identity of the men should call Pc Gareth Northwood at Ipswich Police on 01473 613 500 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.