Retired roadsweeper Fred Skinner, 87, is still suffering panic attacks more than a month after he was kicked and punched to the ground on his own door- step.

Now police have launched a fresh appeal to catch the thugs responsible.

Mr Skinner is now nervous of going out - even into the town centre just minutes from his bungalow in Partridge Crescent, Wantage.

And he remains extremely wary of callers after the attack late one evening last month. Mr Skinner, who has been a widower for 13 years, still has bruises from his feet to his groin, and has to walk with a stick. He said: "It's very painful.

"I don't know who did this. I didn't think I had an enemy in the world. At night it comes over me and I get very panicky."

Wantage police chief Insp Paul Kirkland said it was the worst attack on a pensioner he had seen in the three-and-a-half years he had been in the town.

He said there was no apparent motive for the assault. But he is convinced the two teenage thugs responsible live locally.

Insp Kirkland said the national charity Crimestoppers had put forward a substantial reward for the arrest and prosecution of those responsible.

He said: "This was a vicious and cowardly attack. It is remarkable he was not more seriously injured. "The two men who punched and kicked him to the ground and left him unconscious can only be described as thugs.

"I'm extremely keen to crack this sickening crime and I appeal to anyone in the community to come forward."

Story date: Thursday 18 November

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