A MAN was left with a fractured skull and bleeding on the brain following a brutal gang attack at a Shenfield petrol station.

The 44-year-old victim cannot work and has had to cancel his holiday following the attack, which happened on the forecourt of the station in Rayleigh Road in the early hours of Sunday, July 20.

Police attended the incident at the time but the victim did not want to make a complaint and did not want medical assistance and went home. However after he attended hospital two days later and found he had received two skull fractures and a bleed on the brain, he re-contacted Police.

Police are now appealing for any witnesses.

The man had been out for the evening and went to the petrol station close to Alexander Lane between midnight and 1am to get some cigarettes.

When he came out of the shop he remembers being surrounded by a large group of teenagers who attacked him. He then lost consciousness but cannot remember anything more.

Investigating officer Dc Stephen Baker said: "There would have been people about and the victim remembers a man standing behind him in the queue just before the incident happened and so I am very eager to trace this man or anyone who was there and saw what happened.

"The victim cannot work, has had to cancel a holiday because he is now too ill and in too much pain to fly. The victim’s injuries are very serious and I need to hear from any witnesses that saw this vicious assault take place."

Anyone who has any information is urged to contact Dc Baker in CID at Loughton Police Station on 101 or via Crimestoppers, anonymously on 0800 555 111.