A MAN who was viciously attacked as he walked home from a pub, before waking up in bed with no recollection of how he got there, says despite the horrifying ordeal, he will not let his attackers control his life.
Keith Lee was on his way home from the Fox and Hounds pub in Haydon Wick on Sunday, January 22, at about 11pm when the attack happened as he walked through an alleyway between Greenmeadow Avenue and Helmsdale.
He was hit on the back of the head and to his face, being knocked unconscious.
He then woke up the next morning at home in bed, fully clothed, but had no recollection of how he got there.
The 58-year-old had suffered concussion, a broken nose and loose teeth and received hospital treatment, but his wallet, phone and watch were untouched.
“I must have walked through that route a thousand times and I have lived in this area for the last 30 years so I know everyone,” Keith said. “To have that happen was completely out of the blue because you never hear about things like that happening.
“It is so strange because they didn’t take anything.
“I must have been on autopilot after it happened to get myself home and luckily I still had my keys on me to get in.
“I woke up the next morning just covered in blood.
“I still to this day do not remember how I ended up back home.
“I wasn’t even going to ring the police initially because I didn’t know what happened.
“After I woke up and took a look at myself in the mirror, cleaned myself down and then sent a photo to my brother on Facebook. The next thing I know, he came round to pick me up and take me to the hospital.”
Police have now launched an appeal for witnesses to come forward which has been shared by hundreds of people on Facebook.
Since the attack, Keith, who has recently been given the all clear after his fourth diagnosis of cancer, said he’s been too afraid to venture outside in the evening alone.
“The police appeal has been on Facebook and a lot of people have seen it so hopefully a couple of them might have been in the area on the night it happened,” he added.
“I really didn’t want to go home after it happened and I have been down the pub once since then. I only went because my sister was working and she could drive me home. I just don’t want to leave the house at the moment and if I do, I make sure it is in the day and with people.
“Nothing fazed me before and I am not a little bloke, I’m about six feet tall.
“The fact I cannot remember getting home is what puzzles me the most because when I woke up I wondered what had happened. I remember walking home and something hitting the back of my neck and then it all disappears.
“If anyone was in that area on that night, any information will help the police. I am not letting it keep me down and I know I will get over it someday because it can only get better.”
If anyone has information regarding the attack, contact PC Jo Phelps on 101 or anonymously, via Crimestoppers, on 0800 555 111.
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