A MAN has told how he was smashed in the face with a bat in a case of mistaken identity.
Martyn Fryer had ten stitches in his mouth and is still having treatment to repair his teeth.
Police searching for his attacker have so far drawn a blank and yesterday released CCTV images.
Mr Fryer, 21, of Arnold, described the terrifying moment he was attacked and appealed for anyone with information to come forward.
He had stopped off at G Spot bar, Heathcoate Street, Goose Gate, for a drink with a friend on his way home from work just before midnight on Thursday, July 5.
He said: "I walked to the bar and two minutes later a guy came from behind me and hit me with a rounded bat across the mouth. It just busted my mouth open.
"Then he shouted to me 'you owe me money', but I'd never seen this guy before."
The blow was so forceful the bat broke in two and knocked Mr Fryer's front teeth to the back of his mouth.
Mr Fryer spent seven hours at the Queen's Medical Centre having ten stitches inside and outside his mouth and has been left with a scar.
He added: "It's a case of mistaken identity and the police have ruled out the idea that I owe him money.
"All my front teeth went to the back of my mouth and I had to have them pushed back into place.
"It was just a one-off drink, not even a night out, and only my mate would have known I was there at that time.
"I've never had anything like this happen to me before. It was just the shock of it."
Police are asking people to look at the footage, which shows two men outside the bar moments before Mr Fryer was hit.
Officers think both have information which could help them.
In the footage, a man in dark clothing is seen walking back and forth in front of the door, before another man in lighter clothing comes into view.
Mr Fryer says since the attack he has taken to making sure he gets lifts to and from work, instead of walking and taking buses.
He added: "I just want to see this guy caught. I took a real whack and it was very frightening. It's something I never want to experience again."
The pictured men, or anyone with any information about the attack, are asked to contact police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
