A CYCLIST has today spoken of her fear after she was verbally abused and then punched in the mouth by a random man in an Ipswich street.Dr Esther Kiehl was left astounded when a dishevelled man blocked her path in Belstead Road as she was cycling home and proceeded to shout abuse before attacking her.

A CYCLIST has today spoken of her fear after she was verbally abused and then punched in the mouth by a random man in an Ipswich street.

Dr Esther Kiehl was left astounded when a dishevelled man blocked her path in Belstead Road as she was cycling home and proceeded to shout abuse before attacking her.

The 35-year-old German, who moved to Ipswich three years ago, is concerned for others' safety as well as her own following the unprovoked attack as the culprit made threats that he would come to find her and allured to “previous victims”.

Dr Kiehl, who works as a trainee clinical psychologist in Essex, said: “I know I shouldn't have been cycling on the pavement but I was bewildered about the way he was reacting. I did not think that was justified in that situation. He said if I wasn't careful, I would be his next victim and that's when I started to get worried.”

Police are today appealing for witnesses to the incident, which happened at about 5.50pm on May 8.

Dr Kiehl, who lives in the Stoke Park area of Ipswich, said: “He kept shouting for me to go back to my own country and said 'you are not from around here'. In a way I felt sorry for him because I thought he was narrow minded and didn't know any better.

“Then without any warning, he punched me in the mouth. I did not see it coming and was totally and utterly shocked. It knocked my head back and split my lip. I have never experienced that before.”

The man then turned around and walked away in the direction of Station Street, leaving Dr Kiehl to cycle home in a shaken state.

The attacker is described as white, aged late 40s to early 50s, about 5ft 10ins, unshaven, with dark but greying untidy hair. He was wearing a green sweatshirt and a green sunhat with a peak.

Two men who walked past at the time of the incident may hold vital information, which could assist with the investigation.

If you can help in any way, call Pc Andrew Stansfield at the South West Ipswich Safer Neighbourhood Team on 01473 613500 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

Have you ever come across similar hostile behaviour in the town? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN, or e-mail eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk