A young man suffered a fractured skull and nearly complete hearing loss after being savagely beaten on New Year’s Day.

Merton police have appealed for information from witnesses after the 21-year-old man was punched and kicked in the head as he lay defenceless on the ground after being tripped up while walking home in Raynes Park.

The attack, at about 3am on January 1, took place in Cannon Hill Lane, near the junction with Cherrywood Lane.

The man was walking home after a night out celebrating the New Year, when two other men came up behind him and began verbally abusing him.

After the first attacker tripped him up, the second suspect punched and kicked the victim in the head whilst he lay in the ground, causing him to lose consciousness, before running off.

He was later found by two passers-by, who put him in the recovery position and called the emergency services.

Dawn Spragg, one of the victim’s neighbours, said she and other residents were deeply distressed by the attack and urged witnesses to help catch the thugs.

She said: “This young man is lying in hospital and has lost his hearing after suffering numerous fractures in his skull.

“We like to think we live in one of the safest areas in London so, when something like this happens, we are not prepared to tolerate such a nasty attack on our doorstep.

“His father is extremely upset and who wouldn’t be?”

Detective Sergeant Trevor Struthers, leading the investigation, confirmed the victim suffered 95 per cent hearing loss and bleeding to his brain.

He said: “This was a violent and senseless attack on a young man just enjoying a night out with friends.

“He has sustained potentially life-changing injuries, and we are very keen to arrest the two offenders who attacked him.”

“I’d also like to ask the two people who came to help to come forward and speak to us. Their courage in helping a person in distress, not knowing what had happened, is commendable.”

Anyone with information should call 101 or Crimestoppers in confidence on 0800 555 111.

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