THREE men from Bury St Edmunds have been bailed after a man was beaten so badly that police have been unable to interview him for two weeks.

The 21-year-old victim is currently in a serious, but stable condition after sustaining head injuries when he was repeatedly kicked in the head by a group of thugs.

A spokeswoman for Essex Police said as a result of the attack, which occurred outside Speak Easy bar in Epping High Street, two 19-year-olds and a 25-year-old from Bury St Edmunds were arrested.

They were interviewed in connection with the assault and have now been released on bail until Monday, July 5, pending further inquiries.

The injured man is currently being treated in Queen’s Hospital, Romford, after being transferred from Princess Alexandra Hospital in Harlow.

The attack occurred just before 1am on Saturday, March 20.

The victim is thought to have been drinking at one of the tables outside the bar, which is not known as a local trouble spot, when he was set upon by three men.

The owner of Speak Easy said he believed it was an unprovoked assault.

Businessman Robert Bell said: “As far as I know the guy was sitting outside, minding his own business having a drink when he was set upon by these blokes, who were not customers of ours and had not been in the bar that night.

“I wasn’t there that night but my two managers didn’t even know anything was going on until someone came in and told them about it.

“From what I’ve heard they’ve caused trouble around here before, apparently there’s CCTV of them hanging around the area.”

In the aftermath of the incident police moved quickly to reassure residents in Epping that the attack would not lead to a return to the regular violence and disturbances that plagued its High Street last year.