Man from Eastbourne injured in ‘vicious’ attack outside Subway in Lewes

A man from Eastbourne was attacked by a group of youths outside Subway in Lewes – leaving him with a broken eye socket.
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Mike Williams was subjected to the ‘vicious’ attack outside the fast food restaurant in Eastgate Street on Sunday night (March 15).

The 52-year-old and dad-of-four had confronted the youths moments earlier after ‘they grabbed items from the restaurant and ran out without paying’.

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He said: “I had just finished work and had been at The Volunteer pub with friends. I got a bit peckish so I went over to Subway and there were several lads outside with bikes.

Mike Williams after the attack (inset) and Subway in Lewes. Picture: Google Street ViewMike Williams after the attack (inset) and Subway in Lewes. Picture: Google Street View
Mike Williams after the attack (inset) and Subway in Lewes. Picture: Google Street View

“I ordered food and then these kids came in and started taking food from the shop and walked out. I went outside and asked them what they were doing and told them they needed to pay.

“I went back in and paid and then went out and one of them put their foot out so I tripped over. As I was coming back up one of them just whacked me on the back of my head, knocking me to the ground.

“While I was on the ground they smacked me on the head a couple of times and then ran off. I think one of them was wearing a ring as I was bleeding so much.”

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Mike said he went straight home after the attack and his partner, Elaine, tried to stop the bleeding.

Mike Williams after the attack outside Subway in LewesMike Williams after the attack outside Subway in Lewes
Mike Williams after the attack outside Subway in Lewes

“I fell asleep at about 9pm – Elaine said the bleeding stopped at about 12.30 to 1am,” he said.

“I went to hospital the next day and had an x-ray. They said I had a broken eye socket. Two teeth have been knocked out of place too.

“I used to play rugby so I can take a good hammering, but this was a vicious attack.”

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The fabrication engineer, who is originally from Eastbourne but moved to Lewes a couple of years ago, said he has had to take time off work this week due to his injuries and was not getting much sleep due to the pain.

Mike Williams has been left with a broken eye socketMike Williams has been left with a broken eye socket
Mike Williams has been left with a broken eye socket

He said police came to the scene and spoke to witnesses: “People outside the pub saw what happened. There were screams and a lot of shouting and commotion.

“I haven’t heard from the police since. I am a little bit shocked as I think it was quite severe.

“I feel angry and a little bit let down and the more the days go on I feel like nothing is going to be done about it, but I am not going to let this lie.”

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He added that it was shocking for such an attack to take place in a ‘nice, sleepy town like Lewes’.

Mike WilliamsMike Williams
Mike Williams

“Lewes is a nice place to live – I love it – it is quite a peaceful town – but there are people spoiling it for everyone.”

Sussex Police said: “Police are appealing for witnesses after a man was assaulted outside Subway in Lewes.

“The man had been in the Eastgate Street food outlet just after 6.30pm on Sunday (March 15), when a group of about seven youths grabbed some items from a fridge and ran out without paying. He confronted them outside and was punched in the face, cutting his nose.

“The group made off on bikes.

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“We are continuing to investigate this incident and are awaiting any relevant CCTV from the shop. An officer has spoken to the victim and photographed his injury. We would urge anyone with information to get in touch.

“Anyone who witnessed the incident or who may have information about it is asked to report online or call 101 quoting serial 972 of 15/03.”