A SOLDIER who has just returned from Iraq unscathed was beaten up by a group of men as he made his way home from a night out.

Police are searching for witnesses to the assault after a group of men targeted the 21-year-old and attacked him from behind with a weapon the victim believes to be a stone slab.

The victim, who had recently returned home from Basra, was attacked as he left Stanhill Working Men’s Club in Oswaldtwistle after a 21st birthday party.

He suffered gashes to the back of his head with an unidentified weapon. A stone slab, taken from the top of a nearby wall, was also found nearby but police have not ruled out a glass or bottle being used in the attack.

Suffering serious injuries to the back of his head, he tried to run from his attackers and was chased into a nearby front garden, where he lost consiousness.

The 21-year-old, who asked for his name not to be used because he’s a serving soldier, was attacked just after midnight on Friday.

His injuries include severe gashes to the back of his head, which had to be glued and stitched at Royal Blackburn Hospital, cuts to his arms, hands and face and the loss of one of his fingernails.

Detective Sergeant Mark Gillibrand at Accrington CID said: “The attack was cowardly, unprovoked and excessive. The attack is aggravated by the fact that some sort of weapon was used on the back of the head and the victim is in a lot of pain as a result.

“Many people were in the area at that time and we would urge any witnesses to get in touch.”

The victim added: “It hapened all at once. One minute they were just waiting for a taxi and I was walking past, the next minute I’m being hit over the head.

“I just ran. I don’t remember much of what happened after reaching one of the houses, I just lost consciousness. The next thing I remember is waking up in hospital. It’s not what you expect to happen on a night out.”

Three men from Oswaldtwistle have been arrested in connection with the incident.

Matthew Hindle, 21, of Watson Street, Michael Wyer, 22, of Scott Close and Gareth Heap, 21, of Charles Street have been released on conditional bail.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Accrington CID on 01254 353 743 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.