IPSWICH: A victim of a vicious alleyway attack today told how he cowered in fear while being hit by a bottle as blows rained down on him.

IPSWICH: A victim of a vicious alleyway attack today told how he cowered in fear while being hit by a bottle as blows rained down on him.

The man’s friend, who managed to escape from the gang, described the assault as their “worst nightmare”.

The pair were attacked near Foxhall Road Co-op by a group of youths while the men were taking a short cut leading to Gladstone Road as they returned home from work.

The 30-year-old victim, who asked not to be named, said: “We were walking down the alleyway at the end of the Co-op and there were a group of males between the back yards of the houses.

“As we were passing, one guy grabbed me from behind and straightaway another guy started hitting me.

“Someone was trying to get hold of my friend, but luckily he escaped.

“I was trapped in the alleyway by four or five people – I am not sure exactly how many.”

Although his attackers tried to push him to the ground, the man crouched down covering his head with his hands to protect himself as the attackers continued hitting him.

“They smashed me in the face. I tried to protect my eyes. My glasses came off.

“To start with they hit me with their hands and finally they hit me on the top of my head with a glass bottle.

“Luckily, I was wearing a hat so there wasn’t much damage. While they were hitting me, I was shouting for help, but there was no one there.

“After they hit me with a bottle, they started running away.

“I was frightened. It was a total shock when they started hitting me. I didn’t realise what was going on as it all happened so fast.”

The man sustained cuts and bruises to his head and face, as well as a broken tooth.

His work colleague described the incident as their “worst nightmare”.

He said: “One (of the attackers) tried to grab me from behind and hit me, but hit my bag.

“I managed to set myself free from the guy and ran towards Gladstone Road. While I was escaping, the guy trying to hold me hit me on the head with a bottle, but still I ran.

“I looked back hoping my colleague would also come out. Then I realised the guys had grabbed him.”

When the man was a safe distance away, he telephoned police.

A Suffolk Constabulary spokesman said three youths had been arrested on suspicion of assault after the incident, which occurred at 6pm on February 15.

They are currently on bail pending further enquiries.

n Have you been the victim of an attack? Tell us your story. Write to Your Letters, The Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN or send us an e-mail to eveningstar letters@eveningstar.co.uk