A GOOD Samaritan was forced to pretend to be unconscious as his eyes were gouged during an attack in Poole.

The victim, a man in his 40s, went to check on a woman in distress as he walked past Munchies in Old Orchard Road at 2am on Sunday, February 2.

The woman, who was with two men, turned on the victim and launched a tirade of abuse at him.

One of the men grabbed the victim by his hood and pulled him to the floor, before starting to punch him in the face.

The victim managed to free himself and began walking up the High Street in the direction of the Dolphin Centre.

The two men followed him through the street before one pushed him to the ground, held him down and punched him. The man then put both thumbs over his eyes and started to push.

He stopped the attack only when the victim pretended to pass out in a bid to get away.

The victim suffered severe bruising under both eyes as a result of the assault, along with multiple bruises and grazes on his face and bloodshot eyes.

Police have now called for anyone with information about the "particularly nasty" incident to come forward.

The first man is described as aged in his 20s, around five feet eight inches tall, with short, dark hair with a straight fringe.

He was wearing a black jumper and grey tracksuit bottoms.

The second man is described as aged in his 30s, around five feet 11 inches tall and with short, black hair. He was wearing black clothing and a beige jacket.

PC Ryan Malcolm, of Poole police, said: “We are carrying out a full investigation to identify the offenders of this particularly nasty and unprovoked assault, which understandably left the victim very shaken."

Anyone with information is asked to contact Dorset Police via dorset.police.uk or by calling 101, quoting occurrence number 55200016718.