A WOMAN subjected to a "horrible attack" by a gang of thugs is now frightened to leave the house – just months after recovering from a spinal condition that had left her housebound for six years.
The 30-year-old, who did not want to be identified for fear of reprisals, was walking alone through Central Park in Chelmsford on Friday when three men shouted death threats, before throwing a drink over her, and hitting her across the face.
"I just can't believe they did something like that to a woman walking by herself," said the victim, who studied animal care at Writtle College.
"I was just getting myself together and now this horrible experience happens. It really makes me want to just move out of Chelmsford."
The woman, originally from Cheshire, had been walking into the park at around 12.30pm after visiting shops in Moulsham Street when she spotted the three men and immediately felt wary.
"I just didn't know what I was going to do. I recognised them as they hang outside my flat sometimes and they had earlier had an argument with my boyfriend who wouldn't give them a cigarette," she said.
"They began to walk towards me really aggressively then one of them said he was going to kill both me and my boyfriend – I was getting ready to fight for my life.
"One then threw a cup of amethyst purple liquid over me and hit me across the cheek before they all walked off.
"I just called the police straightaway."
It has been around 18 months since a life-changing operation had nearly cured the condition and given her a new chance at an active life.
"But this horrible experience has really set me back, it was a big deal for me just to go out on my own and now this happens," the victim added.
"I'm worried about how secure my flat is as people just buzz strangers in all the time, I just hope they catch them really soon."
The suspects are all believed to be in their late teens, and it is a white male, believed to be called Cam, that the victim remembers delivering the blow.
He is described as having dark hair, wearing a turquoise and purple hat which said 'Hornets', and faded blue shorts with a yellow stripe with suede royal blue Nike trainers. He was also carrying a brown, red and green man's handbag. The second and third attackers are described as being of mixed heritage, with one having the word BAILEY tattooed onto his neck and a rotting front tooth. The third is chubby.
Police would like to hear from anyone who saw what happened by calling Pc Chloe Lingane at Chelmsford police station on 101.
