2:11pm Wednesday 7th May 2008
By David Watkinson
A MAN WHOSE cheekbone was shattered in a pub attack has undergone surgery to insert a metal plate in his face.
Wilfred Evans, 45, was knocked unconscious in the assault, which happened as he enjoyed a drink with his partner in Accrington town centre.
He was knocked out with a single blow from behind in a "vicious" unprovoked attack.
Now, after check-ups from doctors, X-rays have revealed that his cheekbone was broken in four separate places.
He underwent an operation on Monday in a bid to repair the damage.
Mr Evans, who works as a domestic appliance engineer in Darwen, said he was struggling to come to terms with the injury, which happened in the Calder pub, Blackburn Road.
He said: "The swelling has now started to go down so the doctors are able to operate. It has been a very painful incident."
Police are still hunting his attacker, who fled from the Calder after the incident, which was caught on CCTV. And they want to speak to a man who they believe was involved in the incident.
Mr Evans, of Avenue Parade, Accrington, said he and partner Julie McMurrough, 48, had just entered the Calder at around 9.30pm on Sunday, April 26, and were waiting to be served at the bar.
He said: "I had no idea of what was coming. One minute I was waiting to be served and the next I was picking myself up off the ground after being punched.
"I was just knocked out cold and I'm told I was out for a while.
"My partner tried to help me up but luckily the bar staff were great and they took me to the toilets to clean up a bit."
Det Sgt Mark Vaughton said: "This appears to have been an unprovoked and motiveless attack.
"We are keen to speak to the man in the CCTV footage who we believe was involved and would appeal to anyone who knows the identity of this man to contact Accrington CID."
Police say the attacker is white, 6ft tall, with a stocky build and short dark brown hair. He was wearing a bright green T-shirt, dark trousers and white trainers.
He fled towards the town centre.
Call police on 01254 353743 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
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