A man trying to break up a fight was punched to the ground, repeatedly kicked and then stabbed in the face by three men last week outside the Cloud 9 bar in East Molesey.

It is the second violent incident at the bar in Bridge Road in a month, after TV investigator Donal MacIntyre and his wife were beaten up by a gang of men inside Cloud 9 on June 17, in a suspected revenge attack for his expose on Chelsea football hooligans nine years ago.

Surrey Police are appealing for witnesses following the latest assault on Friday, July 17.

The incident took place between 11.50pm and 12.30am when a 43-year-old man from Sunbury attempted to break up an argument between the his attackers and another man.

As a result, one of the men turned his attention to the victim, striking him on the face and then knocking him to the floor.

Two other men then joined the attack and punched and kicked the victim while he lay on the ground.

During the vicious attack, one of the thugs also stabbed the victim in the face with an unknown object.

Two of suspects were then seen walking away from the scene along the river front.

The victim was left with a cut of about two or three inches on his lower cheek, a lump on the back of his head and grazing to his chest.

Surrey Police said it was lucky the injuries were not more serious.

The man who hit the victim first was white, in his early 20s, 6ft, clean shaven and with short blond hair.

The other two suspects are also white males in their early 20s.

Detective Constable Nick Beer, who is leading the investigation, said: "This was a worrying incident where a man who was trying to break up an argument has been subjected to a sustained and vicious assault.

"This sort of behaviour is unacceptable and the victim is fortunate that the injuries he sustained were not even more serious.

"It is vital we track this group of males down as quickly as possible and I feel certain members of the public who were in the area will be able to assist this ongoing investigation.

"Bridge Road was very busy around the time of this incident and I am sure many people would have seen this attack taking place."

Anyone who witnessed the incident or who has any information should call D Con Beer at Staines CID on 0845 125 2222, quoting reference EL/09/5900, or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

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