A MAN suffered a torn eyelid and tear duct as he stood in front of a young woman in a bid to protect her during an early-hours row in Bournemouth town centre.

The victim, who is in his 20s, was hurt by a man who ‘pulled and scratched at his face’ in an incident outside Walkabout in Old Christchurch Road.

Police have now released CCTV of their suspect after the assault, which happened at around 3am on Saturday, March 30.

Detectives say the victim had intervened in a row between a man and two women outside the bar. He stood in front of one of the women to protect her and the man quickly became aggressive, shoving at the victim.

Both men then fell to the ground before the attacker clawed at the victim’s face.

After others separated the two, the victim was able to get away. He then discovered blood coming from cuts to his face.

He went to hospital where he was treated for a torn eyelid and injury to his tear duct that required surgery.

Detective Constable Kat Rawlings, of Bournemouth CID, said police are now able to release an image of their suspect.

“I appreciate they are not of the best quality but I am hoping someone will be able to recognise him,” DC Rawlings said.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Dorset Police via dorset.police.uk or by calling 101, quoting occurrence number 55190047891.

The attack is just the latest violent incident to take place in one of Bournemouth’s busiest streets.

Late last year, a man suffered possible permanent damage to his eyesight after a “nasty” early hours assault at the taxi rank.

During the incident, which happened at 4am on Sunday, December 9, a Bournemouth man in his 40s was punched to the ground and kicked.

After visiting an eye specialist he was diagnosed with a damaged retina. It is unknown if or when his eyesight will fully return.

The previous month, a man was left with a serious head injury following an altercation outside the Revolution Bournemouth bar.

The victim, a 28-year-old man, had gone to intervene during the altercation when he was punched in the head.

In the early hours of the morning of Sunday, January 31, a man in his 40s suffered four broken ribs and a black eye when he was robbed in the street.

His mobile phone was stolen, as well as cash and jewellery.

In 2018, police were called to almost 450 reports of crime in just 0.1 of a mile along the stretch.

The offences, which include anti-social behaviour, sexual offences and other violence, were reported in a small area of Old Christchurch Road between the shared space and the junction for Glen Fern Road. The road is home to a number of clubs, takeaways and bars, including Walkabout, Camel and Subway.

More than one crime was reported every day, on average, last year.

Old Christchurch Road also houses a number of empty shop units.

There are some 20 vacant premises, with the majority of these located between the Square and Horseshoe Common.