Stephen Johnstone, 59, was knocked unconscious and his mobile phone and van keys stolen during the early morning mugging.
A man who was attacked and left unconscious yards from his front door has said he “won’t be the last” and that he was “thankful” the consequences were not worse.
Stephen Johnstone (59) suffered a concussion and a fractured eye socket after being attacked by a gang and robbed of his mobile phone.
Stephen was walking home from South Shields pub with his son Michael when the incident occurred.
He was attempting to call his partner but was instead attacked from behind as he pulled out his phone.
“I can remember very very little,” he told ChronicleLive. “I was walking the mile home and I got about 200 yards from my partner’s door and that’s all I can remember until I woke up.”
Stephen took a taxi to the hospital where he was told he had a fractured eye socket and concussion.
He needed stitches to fix the wounds to his face. Stephen was then instructed to return to the hospital to have a head scan.
He said: “I think this is a sign of the times. I won’t be the first, and I won’t be the last. It was a cowardly attack. It’s not what you expect on a Friday night. It was just a case of being in the wrong place at the wrong time.
“If it had been anyone a bit frailer than me or a bit less robust we could be talking about something different now. It’s a small step between assault and death.”
Although he was angry he was attacked so close to his home, he was also thankful he had not suffered a worse result.
He stated that he had walked home more than a thousand times during his life. These people take advantage. They must have seen me on my phone, and then the rest is history.”
His attackers remain at large and Stephen has urged anyone who knows who they are to come forward.
“Let’s hope common sense prevails,” He said. “It could be your dad, your granddad or your brother next. Fortunately, I’m someone who believes there is more good in the world than bad.
“It does make you think. I just hope somebody does come forward with some information and that justice prevails.”
His son, Michael, has returned to the scene to ask if any residents or businesses have any CCTV or other information that could help identify the attackers.
The 32-year-old said: “They have given him a hell of a kicking. It’s shaken him up. I’m not going to sit back and do nothing.”
Police are investigating the attack and have appealed for witnesses.
A Northumbria Police spokesperson said: “An investigation has been launched following a report of an assault in the Halstead Place area of South Shields”.
“A man was walking home at about 1 am on September 25 when he was assaulted by a group of males, who then ran off.
“The victim suffered facial injuries and was taken to hospital as a precaution.
“Enquiries are ongoing into the incident. Anyone with information is asked to contact police.”
Witnesses should contact Northumbria Police via the force’s website or by calling 101 quoting log NP-20210925-0073.