THE teenage victim of a vicious and unprovoked attack has bravely spoken out in a bid to catch the thug who assaulted her.

Nikki Collier and a friend were walking home along Colchester’s High Street when they were subjected to the terrifying ordeal.

At about 1.20am, the girls passed a drunk man, who spat at them and shouted abuse.

Nikki, who was 18 at the time, turned back and walked towards the man, asking him what he had said.

Her assailant put his arm around her, as if he was apologising, but then yanked her head back by her hair with one hand, and viciously punched her in the face with his other hand.

CCTV footage of the incident shows Nikki thrown through the air and landing in a heap at her friend’s feet.

The attacker sauntered off up the High Street, followed by his friend.

Members of the public appear to walk past – with the exception of a man and woman, who can be seen crouching beside her.

Just over a year after the incident, ahead of the footage being shown on BBC’s Crimewatch programme, Nikki has spoken of the effect the assault has had on her life.

She said: “I’m really nervous now. If I see a man coming towards me quickly, I get really scared and jumpy.

“I don’t go out in Colchester now. I don’t really go out at all.

“My friends understand, but still try to persuade me to go out; and it has had an impact on my work relationships, because they all go out together and I won’t.”

Now 19, Nikki, of Colchester, said she had chosen to speak out now because she felt only an arrest would bring closure.

She added: “This attack was completely unprovoked. I didn’t even see his face properly.

“He could go around lashing out at anyone until he is stopped.”

‘It’s an atrocious crime’

POLICE have released CCTV footage of the attack, which has shocked even hardened officers, ahead of a national Crimewatch appeal.

Officers had arrested a man in connection with assault, but he has just been released without further action.

As police have exhausted all other inquiries, they are able to release the footage in the hope of identifying either the thug who attacked Nikki Collier, or his friend.

Insp Paul Butcher said: “Having reviewed the CCTV, it is an absolutely atrocious crime really.

“We are used to seeing a lot of things, but this really drew our attention.”

The CCTV has been submitted to the BBC’s Crimewatch programme, and it is hoped it will air this summer.

Mr Butcher is anxious to identify the man who attacked Nikki, but is equally keen to hear from anyone who can identify his friend, who is seen with a very distinctive pink scarf or pink jumper around his neck, as he is a vital witness.

Anyone who witnessed the attack, at about 1.20am, on April 4, 2009, or who can help the police identify either of the men, is urged to contact officers at Colchester police station on 0300 3334444, or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.