A THUG is being hunted by police over an attack which left a complete stranger needing metal plates in his jaw for the rest of his life.

Nigel Witchard, 29, was left with appalling injuries to his face after the unprovoked assault in Royal Wootton Bassett.

He had been with his dog outside The Pizzeria, in the High Street, at 12.30am on February 18 when he was punched.

“I was minding my own business waiting for my friend,” said Nigel.

“All I knew was that there was someone suddenly in my face.

“He smacked me and after that I blacked out.

“All I can remember is getting up off the floor with the police there.”

The warehouse operative, who has lived in the town for 15 years, needed two metal plates and a screw fitted to his jaw.

He also suffered a black eye, has numbness around his chin due to nerve damage and can barely open his mouth.

Nigel suffered one blow and was either struck again after he fell or hit his head on the ground.

He did not recognise his attacker, whom he got a brief glimpse of before he fell.

Nigel said: “People have said this man was in the Curriers Arms pub and had been kicked out after some trouble there.

“It could have been that I was in the wrong place at the wrong time. Police are looking at the CCTV to see if the description matches the one I gave them.”

The attack left Nigel in hospital for five days.

He said: “At first I was a bit depressed. I didn’t want to go out and I didn’t want to see anybody.

“I feel a bit better now and have a lot of good friends.

“I’m not going to be traumatised by this, but I hope someone out there can provide information which helps the police to catch this idiot before he does it again.”

The attacker is described as white, with ginger hair, about 5ft 11in tall, skinny and wearing jogging bottoms.

Police would like to hear from anyone who witnessed the attack or has information about it.

Call DC Sally Booth on the non-emergency number 101, extension 760107, or Crimestoppers, where information can be left anonymously, on 0800 555 111.