A STUDENT has been left scarred for life after being attacked last month by two burglars brandishing a knife - and a table leg.

Lee Ridyard, aged 23, was slashed across the head and face with a knife brandished by a man who broke into his home.

A second thug also repeatedly hit him with the wooden table leg.

The ferocious attack only stopped when Lee dived to safety through his bathroom window at the bedsit flat in Park Road, Bolton.

The alarm was raised when a passer-by spotted Lee heavily bloodstained and in a semi conscious state in a street nearby.

Lee suffered severe cuts to his head and face. He was taken to the Royal Bolton Hospital where stitches were inserted in his wounds.

The attack has left him with a serious gash on his forehead which will leave a scar for life.

But he can only remember vague details of the attack itself because of a memory loss since the incident.

Detectives believe the thugs broke into Lee's flat believing it to be empty.

Lee had moved in to the first floor flat six months earlier but in recent weeks had been staying with his girlfriend. The attack happened, though, when Lee returned home to collect some clean clothing.

Lee said: "I can recall hearing the sound of glass breaking and going to investigate. When I walked into the bathroom I saw a man with a knife climbing through the window."

Lee struggled with the knifeman but was then also attacked by a second man who was already in the flat. He was slashed across the head and beaten repeatedly with the table leg.

The student fought with both men smashing the head of one of the men against the bath before he was able to dive to safety through the smashed window.

Both thieves escaped before police arrived on the scene. They stole a video recorder, a leather jacket and money worth a total of up to £500.

Lee was still recovering from his injuries today. He said: "I feel angry and very bitter about what happened that day. They have marked me for life." Detectives have released a description of one of the men who was involved in the incident at Lee's flat at 5pm on Monday March 10. He is white, in his mid 20s with a pock-marked face, short brown "matted" hair. He was wearing dark clothing and spoke with a local accent.

A reward is on offer through GMP's Crimestoppers scheme. Anyone with information is asked to contact Bolton Central CID or Crimestoppers on the free phone number 0800 555 111.

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