Steven Orford suffered a fractured cheekbone, broken arm and severe bruising after being set upon on a pack of yobs in Sutton.

His injuries were so severe a metal plate had to be fitted undernearth his cheekbone.

Up to 16 girls took part in the sickening attack - which police say was completed unprovoked,

The 52-year-old, who suffers from Parkinson's disease, was assaulted as his walked home along Junction Lane.

One of his attackers crept up behind him before landing a powerful blow to the side of Steven's head, sending him crashing to the floor.

Steven said: "I don't know why they went for me, it was senseless. The first blow just came out of nowhere - bang right on the side of my head. I fell to the floor but fortunately I didn't lose consciousness. As I got up I noticed blood was trickling out of the corner of my eye.

"I walked away slowly, I'm too old to run. The next thing I knew there was a bang to my back. They started to kick and punch me again, raining me with blows. I don't know how many attacked me but I could tell one of the girls was in charge. She was the ringleader."

The attack took place in broad daylight at around 6.30pm on Friday, June 6.

After the initial blow, other gang members joined in. Some stood by as they beat him and others joined in. They were aged around 14 to 15 years of age and were wearing shellsuits and boots.

He eventually managed to break free of the relentless beating and escaped into his home on Leonard Street before calling the emergency services.

The former Royal Electrical Mechanical Engineer, who served his country in the late 1970s, is now afraid to go outside. He has had a metal plate inserted into his face, is forced to wear a sling and has bruises all over his body.

Steven, a skilled watchmaker, said: "I have lived here since 1993 and I have never experienced anything like this before. I don't know who they were and I don't know why they did it but it was terrible.

"The agony I am in now is incredible. I have been awake since 1am, just sat here wishing the pain would subside."

* Witnesses should call police on 0151 7096 010 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.