The family of a pensioner almost beaten to death fear police have given up on catching the thug who attacked him.

Werner Jazdziewski, 73, was “one kick to the head away from being killed”, say doctors after the attack in Canterbury City Centre.

And more than four months after the vicious assault, he is still recovering, having suffered a fractured skull.

But police have told his family that despite speaking to some witnesses, there is now “no realistic prospect” of finding the assailant.

The attack happened in The Borough shortly before midnight on Saturday, February 2, as the retired engineer walked home alone after an evening with a friend at Wetherspoon in Burgate.

He was approached by a man and after a brief exchange of words, was attacked, repeatedly punched to the ground and kicked in the head.

The suspect is described by witnesses as being about 6ft 2ins, aged in his 30s and of medium build. He was wearing a Cossack-style fur hat.

The consultant told me I was one kick to the head away from being killed, which was quite alarming...” Mr Jazdziewski

“I don’t remember much about it other than waking up in hospital,” said Mr Werner, who now struggles with his balance and is too frightened to go out in the city centre at night.

“The consultant told me I was one kick to the head away from being killed, which was quite alarming.”

Paramedics called to The Borough found Mr Werner unconscious on the pavement.

He was taken to the QEQM Hospital in Margate where a scan revealed he had a fractured skull and bleed on the brain.

He spent 14 weeks in hospital, 10 weeks of them on the neurological rehabilitation ward at the Kent and Canterbury hospital.

Now back home and enjoying caring for his treasured garden, he has visits from occupational therapy nurses to help with his ongoing recovery.

But Werner, who specialised in tunnelling in his engineering career, fears the streets of Canterbury are not safe.

“How can someone just attack me like that?” he asks. “I wasn’t drunk or upsetting anyone. And they didn’t rob me - it was just pure violence, apparently for fun.”

His son Adam Peters, who is a project manager at the University of Kent, says the family is very disappointed the investigation has been wound down.

He said: “It seemed the investigation dried up quite quickly when perhaps more could have been done to try and find some CCTV and other witnesses. It’s a shame Canterbury is not as safe as it used to be and shocking that someone like my dad could be subjected to an attack like this.”

"And they didn’t rob me - it was just pure violence, apparently for fun...” Mr Jazdziewski

Werner’s ex-wife Lesley Hawkins, with whom he remains good friends, added: “You have to worry that someone who can do something like this is still roaming the streets and may do it again.”

DI Keith Taylor said: “Significant inquiries were carried out, including extensive work to identify CCTV coverage of the incident, as well as find and encourage witnesses and anyone with information which might assist to come forward.

“The victim’s family have been kept informed throughout the ongoing work and we share their frustrations that there might be someone who hasn’t come forward yet, who could help piece together what happened that night. All initial lines of inquiry have been exhausted but any new information received will be reviewed and assessed by officers.”

Anyone with information should call police on 01843 222289.

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