A UNIVERSITY graduate who was celebrating getting his first job with his friends lost his front teeth after being headbutted in an unprovoked town centre attack.

Callum Newman, 22, was trying to break up a fight near a Rawtenstall takeaway when a man headbutted him in the face.

The attack not only left him with dental problems, but the software designer also now suffers from a lack of confidence and has lost weight.

Callum, who lives in Fields Road, Haslingden, with mum Anette and his 19-year-old sister, spoke out about his ordeal in an attempt to trace a witness to help bring his attacker to justice.

He said: “It was my friend’s 23rd birthday and we had a few drinks at somebody’s house and then went into Rawtenstall.

“I had also just got my first job after leaving Chester University where I studied computer science.

“We had had a good night and everyone was getting on.”

Callum and some friends had come outside Vogue nightclub when he was pushed by somebody for no reason.

He said: “He grabbed me and pushed me and I reacted and pushed him back.

“I said we were going and started to walk away.”

When Callum and his friends had walked around the corner from Mimis takeaway, they were approached by a group of three or four men, one of whom attacked his friend and they were grappling on the pavement.

Callum said: “I was trying to break it up and then another guy came over who obviously wanted the fight to continue.

“He grabbed my on the collar, pulled me towards him and headbutted me in the face.

“I put my hands to my face and it was cold and I felt the blood and found my teeth had been knocked out.”

The former Haslingden High School pupil, who has to wear a retainer with false teeth connected to it, said the knock on effects of the attack were still causing him problems.

He said: “The cost for treatment could run into the thousands. I have already had to pay £270 at the emergency dentist.

“I do not like smiling or eating in public because people can see my teeth and I don’t make eye contact.

“I have lost my confidence and it has affected my relationship with my girlfriend.

“The pain is still there but it is not as bad as it was.

“It is difficult to eat some things and I have been living off things like ravioli and pasta.

“I used to go to the gym a lot and I don’t want to now because I am worried I will bite down, so I have lost a lot of weight.”

The attack happened on Sunday, September 14, just before 3am, and the man is described as white, between 20 and 22, 5ft 3ins tall with short brown hair.

DC Lisa Moore, of Burnley CID, said: “Callum was definitely acting as a peacemaker in this situation.

“We know there are people out there who know who the offender is and for whatever reason they have not come forward.

“We want someone out there who has a conscience to help us.”

Anyone with information is asked to call DC Moore on 01282 472527.