Teen almost loses sight in one eye

1:20pm Friday 29th August 2008

A TEENAGER almost lost the sight in one eye after being assaulted by mystery attackers with a sharp weapon.

After stopping to buy alcohol at a supermarket in Trowbridge, Rob Emery and his friend William Wallace were both knocked unconscious in the early hours of Saturday morning.

The pair had been to a few pubs and had stopped at Tesco Extra in County Way, to buy alcohol to take back to Mr Emery's home in Westfield Road just after midnight. They said what happened next is a blur and neither remembers anything before they gained consciousness covered in their own blood.

Mr Emery said opticians had told him he would have lost his sight if the gash to his left eye had been a millimetre deeper.

The 19-year-old, who is unemployed, said "All I remember was walking afterwards and getting a taxi home. My face was badly cut. They took my wallet with £200 cash inside too and £90 cash from William."

Mr Emery's partner Suzanne Studden, 20, said: "He came in and just passed out on the floor, he was in a terrible state. I called 999 and the police said someone would come the next morning. No one came so I called the inquiry number the next day."

Mr Emery said: "I have been in trouble with the police in the past, but I didn't feel that they were bothered about what happened to me."

The teenager has been told he will have to wear glasses for the rest of his life.

Inspector Dave Cullop, of Trowbridge police, said they were first alerted to the incident when an ambulance was requested just before 1am on Saturday. Both victims were seen by paramedics and one was taken to the Royal United Hospital, Bath but the other refused treatment.

Mr Emery called police at 6pm on Saturday and within an hour they had arranged for someone to see him and take a statement. Both victims were visited again by PCSOs on Tuesday.

Insp Cullop said: "Those involved can't really give any clue as to how many people were responsible for the attack so we are appealing for anyone with any information to come forward. "The incident is being investigated and this is ongoing."

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