A FATHER-OF-THREE may be left with permanent injuries after an attack by strangers while out for a quiet drink with his wife.

Mechanical consultant Jonathan Hudson, 33, was felled from behind as the couple walked through Bexley Village, and has suffered horrendous damage.

Mr Hudson has lost several teeth and now has metal plates holding his jawbone together. He may never be able to open his mouth wider than 25mm again.

Now - a month since the attack - police are appealing through News Shopper for passers-by who witnessed to the assault will come forward to help identify his attackers.

The couple had found a babysitter and decided to go out around 9pm, for a drink.

They visited The George pub and then crossed the road to The Millers Arms, where Mr Hudson played pool with another customer.

The couple left the pub just after midnight and walked up through the village high street on their way home.

Mr Hudson said: "We had just passed the King's Head pub opposite and there was a group of four men standing on the pavement.

"I think they were making remarks to passing women. We just ignored them and carried on."

But one of the group had crossed the road behind the back of the couple without them noticing. He came up behind Mr Hudson and punched him in side of the head.

The blow was so hard Mr Hudson was knocked off his feet and fell forward, smashing his face on the pavement. His wife was forced to stand over him to prevent his attacker from aiming further blows to her husband's unconscious body.

A man who came out of a nearby kebab house to help, retreated inside when he was punched in the face.

When a second man, more than 6ft tall, also came out to see what was happening, the four ran off through an alleyway which leads to one of the village car parks behind The George.

Meanwhile Mr Hudson, who was still unconscious, was bleeding heavily and his head was being cradled by his wife as people walked by.

The man Mr Hudson had been playing pool with arrived at the scene, and accompanied the couple to Queen Mary's Hospital, Sidcup.

His injuries were so severe Mr Hudson was immediately transferred to King's College Hospital, Denmark Hill, where he underwent four hours of surgery the following day to try to repair his jaw.

He said: "My mouth may never go back to the way it was and I may never be able to eat properly again.

"I cannot chew. I am eating like a three-year-old, and I have got broken teeth and have lost the feeling in the bottom half of my mouth."

He added: "I didn't do anything. I was just walking home.

"I have only been out once since it happened and friends had to walk me home. I have real problems going out at night now."

The four men were white and aged between 20 and 30 years old.

Anyone with information about the incident should call PC Jason Maureemootoo at Bexleyheath CID on 020 8284 9207 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

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