A MAN has narrowly avoided blindness following a violent assault outside a club in Houghton-le-Spring.

Detectives have appealed to the public for information following the incident outside Houghton Comrades WMC shortly after 11pm on Saturday, November 9.

Officers were called to the Newbottle Street premises after it was reported a group of up to 30 people were involved in an altercation outside.

Upon arriving at the address, police found the young man with a severe cut above and below his left eye. It was reported that as the man was helping to defuse a situation, a woman struck the victim in the face with a bottle causing significant injuries.

An investigation is ongoing into the disorder and police are now eager to hear from anybody who witnessed the incident to get in touch.

Detective Constable Dave King, of Northumbria Police’s Southern CID, said:“This was a particularly nasty assault that could have so easily resulted in life changing injuries.

"The victim has suffered a serious cut above and below his left eye, which had to be operated on sustaining 40 - 50 stitches. He is incredibly fortunate that he has not partially lost his sight or suffered full blindness.

"As a result of this assault, he sustained significant injuries both physically and emotionally.

"We understand that his injuries followed a disagreement involving a large group of people, to which he had no involvement.

"We are now appealing to those people and anyone who was in the vicinity and witnessed what happened to come forward. This type of behaviour is totally unacceptable and we will continue to carry out enquiries to establish exactly what has happened."

Anyone with information should contact Northumbria Police on 101 quoting reference 1203 091119 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.