A MOTHER has spoken of her horror after her son was thrown to the floor and stamped on outside a pub.

Michael Loftus has lost his sense of smell and taste after he was knocked unconscious at the Woodlands Edge pub in South Ockendon.

The 23-year-old was at the pub on December 7, where his mother Tracey Wragg, 45, works as a team leader.

A fight had broken out inside the pub, and during the ensuing scuffle, Ms Wragg was knocked to the floor.

Speaking to the Gazette, she said: “Michael came over to me and asked who had hit me. I said it was no one and that I’d just been knocked over, but by this time another fight had started outside.

“He went out to see what was happening and was immediately knocked to the ground and unconscious. It could have been anyone.

“He wouldn’t hurt a fly.

“The doctor said he had a footprint mark on his face; I don’t think he was punched, the damage was done when he was on the ground.”

Mr Loftus suffered a fractured skull and severe facial injuries and has been told it could take weeks to return to normal.

Police are investigating the attack and reviewing CCTV but have appealed for dashcam footage and witnesses who were at the pub at the time.

A spokesman said: “We are particularly keen to speak to a man who was seen leaving the pub shortly afterwards, who is believed to have short shaven hair and a jacket with a fur hood.”

Call Grays CID on 101 and quote 42/193627/19 for the assault inside the pub or 42/193621/19 for the assault outside the pub.