A care worker was left battered and bruised following a night out in Stevenage after being attacked by a mugger who asked to use his phone.

The 24-year-old from Stevenage has told the Comet he felt unable to go to work following the attack, which happened in an alley between Gunnels Wood Road and Fairview Road at about 3.15am this morning while he was on his way home from the Bar & Beyond nightclub.

The mugger punched him in the face three times while trying to steal his phone and wallet – but the victim managed to escape with just a black eye and a grazed hand before calling the police.

The man has been described by the victim as white, in his 20s and with a slightly deep voice, about 5ft 6ins tall and wearing a dark tracksuit. The victim said another man at the end of the alley may have been acting as a lookout for the mugger.

The victim told the Comet: “It’s a complete shock, because you never think it would happen to you.

“The man approached me and asked to use my phone – I said no, of course.

“I put up a struggle and managed to defend myself, then I got to the road where there are lights.

“They shouted ‘duck’, ducked and both ran off, then I called the police. All I can say is what a pair of cowards.

“I’m OK – just a broken phone case, ripped wallet, black eye and grazed hand.

“I was meant to go to work today but couldn’t as I was so shaken up and had a black eye. It’s definitely lowered my confidence a bit – and my grandmother died just last week too.

“If it hadn’t been me last night it could have happened to a girl or something, and could have been worse.”

Police are investigating the attack. Anyone with information should call 101, quoting crime reference number E1/16/4426, or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. Alternatively use Crimestoppers’ anonymous online form at crimestoppers-uk.org.