by Tricia Jamieson

tjamieson@thekmgroup.co.uk

A father-of-two left blind in one eye after being set upon by a gang of thugs has made an emotional appeal for help in catching his attackers.

Peter Cox, 33, was beaten and kicked unconscious near his home in New Romney.

He was left blind in one eye and suffered a broken nose, fractured eye socket and fractured jaw when his head was kicked and stamped on.

In an emotional interview, Mr Cox revealed that his youngest child did not even recognise him when he came out of hospital.

He said: "The people who did this to me are cowards, cowards and violent yobs."

"The attack left me in a state of shock. It has taken all my strength to keep going.

"It is difficult for me to function as I am now blind in one eye."

Mr Cox, who runs his own insurance broker business in New Romney, said he was upset that no-one had come forward to help bring his attackers to justice.

The attack happened as Mr Cox was walking home along Fairfield Road at around 10 pm on Saturday, August 29, 2009, the bank holiday weekend, after drinking in the Prince of Wales pub.

He joined forces with the police on Friday to make a fresh appeal for information about his attackers.

He said: "Please come forward so that no-one else has to go through the physical and mental pain I have endured over the past few months."

Det Insp Angie Hobbs added that police were anxious for anyone with information to come forward so the offenders could be brought to justice.

Police made five arrests during the initial inquiry but were unable to bring charges due to a lack of evidence at the time.

Anyone with information should call Det Insp Hobbs on 07969 584060 or call Kent Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.