A MAN from York who nearly lost his sight in a vicious attack said he feared for his life as he lay bleeding on the ground.

Brian Scrivener, 26, was attacked outside a shop in Huntington at 8.15pm on Saturday.

Brian, of Pincent Court, told the Evening Press: "I went into a shop in Brockfield Park Drive to buy a can of coke. Outside, two men asked me what I was doing, and told me not to come near there again. I just agreed with them to avoid any trouble, and got on my motorbike to leave. I had the key in the ignition when one of them attacked me.

"The visor on my helmet was up, and he poked me in the eye with something. It wasn't sharp enough to be a knife, but it could have been a piece of plastic, or his finger. Suddenly there was blood all over my face, and I couldn't see anything. It felt like my eye had come out of its socket.

"Then he grabbed me and pushed me to the ground, and started kicking me. It was an absolute nightmare. I thought he was going to kill me. If I hadn't managed to get away, I'm sure I would be dead."

Brian's father, Stephen, said: "He rang home to get us to call an ambulance for him, and then he was taken to York Hospital, where they kept him in for two nights.

"He was cut by something under his eye. Whatever it was, it sliced through right up into his cornea. Thankfully there is no permanent damage, but his cornea will take three weeks to heal." Brian said: "At the moment I can't see anything at all out of my right eye. I have to go to weekly vision clinics to check my eyes, but apparently I will get my sight back. The doctors say I was very lucky."

Diane Jackson, assistant manager of the Spar shop where Brian bought the drink just before the attack, said: "It was dark outside but we could tell something was going on. My colleague, Jackie Bainbridge, looked out the door, then turned round and told me to phone the police. We didn't find out exactly what went on until someone came in and told us later."

The violent attack has left local councillors shocked. Huntington councillor Keith Orrell said: "There have been incidents like vandalism of telephone boxes around Brockfield Park in the past, but this is the first serious assault I have heard of. This is an unusual event in Huntington, and a disturbing one, and we will, of course, take it very seriously."

Acting Sergeant Andy Haigh, of York Police, said: "This appears to be quite a vicious unprovoked attack. Inquiries are ongoing, and any witnesses are asked to call 01904 631321."

Updated: 09:59 Wednesday, October 06, 2004