DETECTIVES are keen to speak to anyone who has information about an assault on a 50-year-old man which has left him with a suspected broken jaw.

The attack took place in a park in Harlow, sometime between 11pm on Christmas Day and 12.15am on Boxing Day.

It happened shortly after the man had walked from the area of Bush Fair along Southern Way and had then taken a short cut through a small park area via an entrance from Southern Way which is adjacent to Tysea Road.

Detective Ryan Burgess of Harlow CID, said: “As the victim neared a park bench at the centre of the park he was attacked by two unknown men whom he can only remember as being in their late teens to early 20s.

“He has suffered numerous blows to the head, face and hands causing him to fall to the ground unconscious where his attackers then left him.

“His belongings were left at the scene near to him, including his boots which had fallen off during the attack. We are still waiting for a full update from the hospital but he is believed to have suffered a fracture jaw with further injuries to his eye sockets and cheek bones.

“This was a quite shocking assault by two young men on a man, who was minding his own business, and we are keen to arrest them as soon as possible. There can be no possible justification for their actions and the sooner they are apprehended the better.

“If anyone has any information about this attack, or if they saw two men in the vicinity of this park, at the relevant time, then I would urge them to contact me at Harlow Police Station on 101 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”