A POLICE investigation is underway following a serious assault at the Dog and Partridge pub in High Road, North Stifford, on Friday evening (22 August) that left a man in hospital with serious injuries.

Officers were called to the scene at the pub at around 11pm after it was reported that a man had been attacked by a group of males and left with injuries to his head and face.

Social media reports sya the gang of largely teenage men, also included a couple of females. The attack was reportedly witnessed by the victim's four-year-old daughter.

The suspects had left the scene and the victim, Kaisen Kinsella, was taken to hospital with serious head injuries.

We would appeal for anyone who was in the pub that evening, who may have information or footage which could assist us, to please come forward.

Thurrock district police commander Chief Inspector Tony Atkin said: "We're treating this matter seriously and have officers continuing to pursue active lines of enquiry.

"It's clear that the identity of those responsible is known to some that were in the pub that night and I'm actively appealing to those people to come forward and tell us who they are.

"I would please ask any witnesses may be able to help us with our investigation to come forward.

"This was a serious assault which has left the victim with awful injuries and we want to find those responsible.

"Violence within our community will never be tolerated and we always actively pursue those who commit offences of this nature."

A further police statement adds: "You can let us know by submitting a report on our website where you can use our online Live Chat service available Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays) between 10am-9pm. Please cite reference 42/121400/25.

"Visit https://www.essex.police.uk/digital101to find out more about our website reporting services. Alternatively, you can call us on 101.

"If you would like to make an anonymous report, you can contact independent charity Crimestoppers on Twitter at @CrimestoppersUK, by visiting their website or by calling 0800 555 111."

An online post from Mr Kinsella's partner, Georgy Annaise, also appeals to potential witnesses to come forward.

She says: "My partner was brutally attacked in front of our four-year-old daughter, who I was holding in my arms, and our seven-month-old son.

"There was a group of young girls that were with the boys that aattacked him. It was unprovoked and they had no remorse. "