Esh Winning dad left with 'gash' on head after 'attack'

Derek Metcalf, from Esh Winning, had been enjoying an evening with friends at the Ushaw Moor Catholic Club on August 8 when he decided to call it a night and head home. 

But as the 67-year-old walked to get the bus, he was "attacked".

The retired dad-of-two, who suffers from a chronic illness, said he had a brief exchange with a woman outside the pub before turning around - and the next thing he knew, he was lying on the floor with a “smashed” nose and a “gash” on his head. 

Derek Metcalf from Esh Winning (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)

Durham Constabulary has confirmed that an investigation is ongoing into the incident, with a suspect identified and work now ongoing to locate and arrest them.

Despite the incident taking place in August, Derek is still suffering, saying he continues to have pain in his eyes, nose, and “can hardly breathe”. 

He told The Northern Echo: “It was on a Friday night and I had been at the Catholic Club on a night out with my mates. It was 9.30am and I was not too well so I decided to go home. 

“I was walking through Ushaw Moor and I was just across the road from The Flass pub. A woman came out from the pub and started shouting - I said I’m not arguing and I’m going home.

Derek Metcalf following the incident (Image: CONTRIBUTOR)

“I turned around and next thing I knew I was on the floor being woken up. My nose had been smashed and I had a gash in my head.”

The former bricklayer said he doesn’t remember anything about the actual attack at all - and just remembers being looked after by people nearby.

He continued: “A woman was looking after me and she was telling me not to move - but I was trying to get up, I just wanted to go back home. 

Derek Metcalf following the incident (Image: CONTRIBUTOR)

“I stood at the side of the road waiting for an ambulance. Somebody went into the Catholic Club and told them, they thought I had collapsed and that it hadn’t been an attack. 

“One of the lads’ daughters was driving and she took me to hospital.” 

Derek was taken to the University Hospital of North Durham, arriving at roughly 10.25pm. He remained in hospital until around 9am the following morning. 

He had a call with police - although doesn’t remember much about it - and said officers then arranged to speak with him again on Saturday morning. 

Derek Metcalf (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)

However, Derek claims the policeman never showed up because he “couldn’t get a car out”. He also claims he had been told that officers had CCTV footage of the incident and had spoken with witnesses. 

Durham Constabulary said it has reviewed CCTV footage and is speaking to witnesses, adding that the victim "has been updated by the investigating officer in relation to how the investigation is progressing".

“I feel like I’m being ignored,” he said.

The incident took place near The Flass Inn (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)

Derek, who lives on his own, added that he is still affected by the ordeal, adding: “I have been out a couple of times to the Catholic Club but I don’t want to go near [where it happened]. 

“I am a bit frightened, and I’m looking over my shoulder all of the time. I went into the chemist the other day and I was standing waiting for my prescription and kept looking behind me.”

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A force spokesperson said: "An investigation into the incident is ongoing with officers carrying out several lines of enquiry, including reviewing CCTV footage and speaking to witnesses.

"The victim has been updated by the investigating officer in relation to how the investigation is progressing.

"While the suspect remains outstanding at this time, they have been identified and efforts are ongoing to locate and arrest them."