A WOMAN has told how her husband was left for dead following a brutal attack in a Purfleet nightclub - and she is convinced it was racially-motivated.

The jaw of the 39-year-old Asian man, who wishes to remain anonymous, was broken in two places when he was beaten by up to eight white men at the Circus Tavern on Arterial Road, on August 31.

The couple were with a group of friends attending a fundraiser for the family of murdered solider Lee Rigby when the attack took place.

The victim was knocked unconscious and then repeatedly kicked in the head, and the violence only stopped when the bouncers intervened. The attackers fled and has so far not be brought to justice.

His wife told the Gazette: “Everybody in the club was white. We were the only Asian people there. It’s hard not to consider it could have a racial attack.

“People like that (the attackers) don’t care about you if you’re not white. They just left my husband for dead.

“He was lucky to survive, he took so many blows to the head. The next person they attack might not be so lucky. They need to be caught.”

She said the attack has left the couple and their three children struggling to make ends meet for Christmas, with their only source of income being the insurance money as her husband hasn’t returned to work since.

Two of the victim’s friends were also assaulted, but their injuries were less serious.

Investigating officer, Det Con Tony Miller said although there is currently no suggestion the attack was racially or religiously aggravated, it’s possible the group were singled out due to an assumed religious group connection.

He added: "We want to hear from anyone at that event who might have seen anything of the assault or people being ejected from the club by the doorstaff.”

Anyone with information should contact Det Con Miller at Grays CID on 101 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 888111.