Detectives are renewing their appeal for witnesses following an attack which left a man with devastating injuries.

The victim, a 28-year-old man, is facing further surgery to repair some of the damage caused when he was attacked outside the Joy Fook Chinese restaurant, in Ongar Road, Pilgrims Hatch.

The man, who is from Hertfordshire, was standing outside the restaurant at about 12.05am on Sunday, December 8, 2013, when he was assaulted causing his jaw to shatter.

He has had a plate inserted since the incident but will still have to undergo more operations.

Investigating officer, Dc Stephen Baker, said: “The victim is still not able to eat solids and has lost an incredible amount of weight because he cannot eat properly.

“He has to have a further eight teeth removed and fake ones screwed in and has been told that he will suffer discomfort for the rest of his life and possibly suffer from arthritis in his jaw when he is older.

“He has also been told that one of the operation procedures will involve cutting behind his ears to get to the jaw and this is not a guarantee of any success, so the next few years appear pretty bleak for him. I really need to speak to anyone who may have witnessed what happened that night, as it really has changed this man’s life.”

A 25-year-old man from Harlow has been arrested in connection with the incident and bailed until March 3, 2014, pending further enquiries.

There were various Christmas work meals going on at the restaurant that night from many places, including the Thurrock and Cheshunt areas, and these are the people who police need to speak with.