A FATHER-of-two badly beaten in a savage attack today spoke out to help police track down his assailant.

Robert Sullivan, 34, was in Selby Market Place on his way to a kebab shop when the thug launched the unprovoked assault.

He was repeatedly punched and kicked and left unconscious in a pool of blood.

Mr Sullivan ended up in York District Hospital's trauma ward. He had five stitches inserted in a head wound, and also suffered a black eye and severe bruising to his chest, stomach and legs.

Several days later he returned to the hospital because of internal bleeding in his stomach and doctors are still conducting tests.

Today Mr Sullivan decided to go public to help detectives hunt down his attacker.

He said it happened without warning after he had enjoyed a Saturday night out in Selby's Griffin and Stable Bar pubs with his brother-in-law and friends.

He went on to Kans nightclub before setting off for a chicken kebab at a nearby takeaway.

Speaking at his home on the Flaxley Road estate, Mr Sullivan said: "I was on my own walking past a burger van, in the market place.

"I saw a group of three men and said 'are you all right lads'. The biggest of the three then attacked me from behind.

"The next thing I remember is waking up in the ambulance, my clothes covered in blood."

He added: "Apparently the man in the burger van was really concerned about me because he couldn't find a pulse.

"I'm now waiting for an appointment to see a specialist."

The incident happened between 12.30am and 1am on Sunday, January 20.

Detective Sergeant Dave Pegg, of Selby CID, said: "It was a particularly vicious and unprovoked attack and we're anxious to trace the offender and the other two men who were with him.

"We need to trace and eliminate from our inquiries three men who were earlier speaking to the victim in the Stable Bar and Kans. They said they were from Howden and were soldiers in the Guards."

Anyone with information should contact Selby CID on 01904 669651.

Updated: 14:58 Monday, March 04, 2002