A MAN who was beaten up while waiting for a taxi in Richmond has said he fears his attackers may not be caught because the town’s CCTV has been switched off.

David Martin, 25, from Colburn, had finished work at the Bishop Blaize pub in the town early last Wednesday evening and decided to stay on to have drinks with friends.

He left to get a taxi home at about 11.30pm but while waiting at the rank outside the Green Howards Museum in the Market Place he was approached by two men.

He said: “They started shouting abuse at me and I shouted something back to try to get them to go away.

“They said I’d better get out of their sight, but I told them I was waiting for a taxi.

“Then one of them hit me and I can’t remember much else – I can’t remember what they looked like or if they had an accent.”

Mr Martin suffered facial injuries and had to have dental surgery to fix his front teeth.

He added: “If only the CCTV had been switched on in the town, it would be so much easier for police to track them down.

“I just hope someone saw them and can identify them.”

Richmond Police are appealing for witnesses to the attack which took place just after midnight on Thursday.

PC Asa Donovan said: “This was a nasty and apparently unprovoked assault, which left the victim needing medical treatment.

“If you were in the Market Place at the time of the incident, or can help to identify the men responsible, I urge you to come forward and contact the police straight away.”

Anyone who can assist officers with this investigation should contact Richmond police on 101, select option 2 and ask for Asa Donovan or email asa.donovan1841@northyorkshire.pnn.police.uk.

Or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800-555-111 quoting reference number 12140052469.