Police have released this image after a thug left a victim unconscious and lying in a pool of his own blood in Gravesend.

The victim was left with a fractured eye socket, a displaced cheekbone and cuts to his face, which needed 26 stitches.

Police have only just released details, but it came after the man in his 40s was leaving a Christmas party just after midnight on December 15.

He was walking down West Street when he saw the suspect, who was standing outside a pub talking to a woman.

Unprovoked, the attacker punched his victim in the face.

He left him briefly to chase off the victim's friend and then returned to lift the victim off his feet and throw him into some nearby railings before walking off down West Street towards Asda.

The suspect is described as a heavy set white man with a bald head wearing a black bomber jacket with furry sleeves and dark blue jeans. He is around 6ft tall.

Detectives have now released CCTV images of a man they believe could help with their enquiries.

The victim said: "I now have to force myself to do things, get out and about and move on my life because I am determined that this attack will not beat me.

"I am not a small man but the man who attacked me was able to pick me up as though it was nothing.

"This was an unprovoked and incredibly violent assault that left the victim unconscious and lying in a pool of his own blood" - DC Hannah Gibbs

"He needs to be caught so nobody else has to suffer in this way."

Investigating officer, DC Hannah Gibbs of Kent Police, said: "This was an unprovoked and incredibly violent assault that left the victim unconscious and lying in a pool of his own blood.

'Kent Police has a zero tolerance policy towards incidents and behaviour such as this and I'd urge anybody with information or anybody who recognises this man to contact me on 01474 366086, quoting crime reference XY/40497/13.

If you'd prefer to remain anonymous, call Kent Crimestoppers on 0800 555111