Assault victim needs special jaw surgery

The attack was carried out by two men, who beat the victim to the ground and kicked him in the head, leaving him with a broken jaw and nose, and bruising to his face and body.

The incident took place outside the back entrance of the Crypt nightclub, Havelock Road, at 1.30am on Saturday.

The man was taken to the Conquest that night, and was later taken to a hospital in East Grinstead for surgery on his jaw.

It is thought the assault was seen by a number of people who had been out on Friday 13.

Police are keen to speak to anyone who witnessed the attack, specifically a taxi driver who alerted two police officers to the incident.

Police are currently looking through CCTV images from the night, in order to pinpoint the people involved.

Two men have been arrested in connection with this matter and have been released on police bail.

DC Mike Burnage said: "We are very keen to speak to the taxi driver who must have seen part and parcel of what happened as he initially alerted officers, who were on high visibility foot patrol in the town centre.

"We are still waiting to speak to the man involved in the incident because he is receiving treatment in East Grinstead.

"It was a very serious assault and we are treating it as such."

The taxi driver concerned, or anyone who saw what happened, is asked to contact Detective Constables Philip Seymour or Mike Burnage at Hastings CID on 0845 60 70 999, or make anonymous contact with Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.