Chesham man brutally beaten for mobile phone

Feb 24 2011 By Camilla Goodman

Tristan Collett, 39, from Chesham, was brutally attacked for his mobile phone

A MAN who was left for dead after a brutal beating in Chesham for his mobile phone has urged people to be more cautious when out alone.

Tristan Collett, 39, from Chesham, was walking home at about 2.30am on Saturday, February 12, when he was hit on the head from behind in East Street making him fall to the ground and was then repeatedly attacked resulting in him having to be hospitalised over the weekend.

Mr Collett said: "The doctors said I was extremely lucky not to have brain injury or loss of eye site or hearing. I was very, very lucky, which doesn't seem that way when people look at the picture. It hurt a lot more than what it looks, it was agony."

Mr Collett said he does not remember most of what happened and does not know who his attacker was or what their motive was.

He said: "I was walking home when I was hit on the back of the head. I don't remember a lot but I remember a boot a few inches away from my face, which then stamped on me. I then remember crawling along the ground trying to get up, luckily my friend drove by in a taxi and called an ambulance.

"I'm not sure if it was one person or eight, that is quite scary. The only thing they took was my phone, and it's not like it's a smart phone or anything. Unfortunately there are people out there who enjoy violence. I'm not sure if they were after something or just trying to cause injury."

Mr Collett said he is still quite shaken by the attack and it has made him anxious about walking by himself at night again.

He said: "I won't be going out for a long time. A lot of my friends also don't feel safe any more as a result, it has been a huge blow. It can be quite deceiving because everyone thinks it's a nice place, but obviously there is crime like this that goes on and we have to be more aware."

Mr Collett is having to take time off from his job as the technical manager at the Elgiva and is also having to receive counselling.

If you have any information about the assault call Thames Valley Police on 0845 8 505 505 or call Crimstoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.