A TEACHER has spoken for the first time after yobs kicked and punched him unconscious in a vicious attack in Bury town centre.

Bury College tutor Keith Taylor returned to work this week, more than a month after thugs left him with horrific head injuries.

Mr Taylor had to be transferred from Fairfield Hospital in Bury to a specialist facial surgery unit at Royal Blackburn Hospital where he stayed for five days.

He had a broken nose, a fractured cheekbone, heavy swelling and a head wound that needed three stitches. Three plates were inserted to hold his cheek in place and he is yet to undergo dental repairs.

Now detectives have stepped up the hunt for his attackers who pounced on him in the early hours of September 26. Mr Taylor, aged 24, of Accrington, said: “It shook me up. It’s dominated my life in the last few weeks while I’ve had hospital treatment. I have hardly been out since it happened.

“I won’t let these yobs ruin my life but they could strike again. We need them off the streets.”

Mr Taylor, who is a sports lecturer, attended a colleague’s retirement party at a bar in Manchester city centre on Friday, September 25.

At about 2.30am, he left the venue with two female colleagues and got into a private-hire taxi outside the Comedy Store in Deansgate Locks.

The taxi was not booked in advance and Mr Taylor cannot remember any vehicle details. The driver dropped them off outside HSBC bank in Market Street in Bury town centre, but Mr Taylor was involved in a dispute over a demand for £37, saying it should only have been £19.

Mr Taylor said: “A passing police officer resolved the dispute and we paid £25 and left.

“We then walked to Kay Gardens and five Asian lads, about 20 to 25 years old, started shouting abuse at us for not paying for the taxi.

“One spat in the face of my colleague and, when I objected, he punched me.

“They stole my mobile phone. I don’t remember much else because it knocked me unconscious.”

Mr Taylor’s helpless colleagues looked on as two men punched and kicked him.

CCTV footage obtained by police shows them stamping on his head and kicking it like a football.

The assault lasted for two minutes before the attackers ran off.

Detectives do not believe the men who carried out the assault knew the taxi driver.

Officers have now released a CCTV image of the two men they want to speak to in relation to the attack.

Det Insp Lynne Vernon, of Bury CID, said: “It is vital we trace who was responsible.

“I’d urge people to look at the CCTV image and, if you know who either of those men are, contact us on 0161 856 8210.”