Ordeal of woman left half-blind by yob attack

Denise Petch, 41, of Elma Villas, Bridlington, went to question the group, who initially ran off but returned a short time later.

As she approached them in Quay Road one of them threw a missile with such force it knocked one of her eyes out of its socket.

The mother-of-five underwent emergency surgery at Scarborough Hospital, but is now blind in one eye and partially sighted in the other.

Ms Petch, who is still in considerable pain nearly two weeks after the attack, paid tribute to Peter Bacon, the surgeon who carried out the operation.

She said: "Following the incident I was taken to Scarborough Hospital where a specialist surgeon from York was able to save my eye, but not the sight in my left eye.

"The surgeon, Mr Bacon, was amazing. He has done a brilliant job putting my eye back into my skull.

"I spent four days at Scarborough Hospital in a special recovery unit and have been provided with lots of medication as I am still in a lot of pain.

"I am now completely blind in my left eye and to see through my right eye is like looking through broken glass; I can see 20 of everything."

She added: "My friends and family are supporting me through this nightmare and I just hope my vision will eventually recover in my right eye, so I can see my beautiful children clearly again."

Police have arrested 10 teenagers in connection with the incident on October 5. A boy aged 16 has been charged with wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and violent disorder.

Two boys also aged 16 have been charged with violent disorder, and the others, aged 19, 17, 16, 15, and three boys aged 14, have been released on police bail.