Help find Telford man's attackers

A man who was beaten and robbed after falling asleep on a bench on the way home from a night out in Telford today urged people to help police find his attackers.

David Hayes needed stitches after suffering several cuts to his face after he was set upon on the edge of the town centre.

The 45-year-old, of Dinthill, Hollinswood, said he did not remember much of the attack in the early hours of Saturday morning.

But he said he woke to find himself being punched by unknown attackers near the bridge leading from the town centre to Hollinswood. Mr Hayes had been in the Thomas Botfield pub in Central Square and decided to walk home at about 12.30pm.

He said: "I must have walked to the bench. I remember sitting down having some crisps and putting the packet in my bag of shopping. I lit a cigarette up. I must have got too comfortable and dozed off."

Mr Hayes said: "I remember being punched and kicked. It was coming from all directions. I could see who was doing it.

"I put my hands up to stop them hitting my face, they didn't stop. They must have cracked a bottle. The police think a bottle was involved. The attack seemed like forever. I think I must have passed out."

He was taken to the Princess Royal Hospital where he was treated before being released on Monday.

Mr Hayes, who had his wallet and MP3 player stolen, said he was speaking out in a bid to find witnesses to the attack.

His mother, Jean, of Madeley, said: "If he had not come round my son would have been found dead on that bench. The police said he had lost a lot of blood."

Telford police appealed for witnesses to contact police on 0300 333 3000.