Passers-by may have saved a victim from an attack after two women and a man he had met earlier in the night turned on him. 

 
Between 4am and 5am on Monday (March 23), the victim, a 29-year old local man, was on his way home after a night out, when he was attacked in Lewes Road by two women and man who he was with, having met them earlier that night.
 
He sustained minor bruising to his face and some blurred vision.
 
However some passers-by shouted at the group to stop what they were doing, causing them to run off.
 
The victim reported the incident to police at lunchtime on Monday, and was taken to the Royal Sussex County Hospital for as check-up.

The suspects are all described as white;

One woman was about 28 years old, about 5'4", with straight shoulder length dyed red hair. She had a skinny face but was of chubby build wearing a black and white dress and a black cap, .

The second woman was in her late forties, about 5'6", with long black hair, and was wearing a 3/4 length white coat.

The man was about 50, short, of skinny build, with short black greying hair, with some dark colouring around the eyes. He may have been wearing blue jeans.
 
Detective Constable Kerri Bartup said; "We appeal to those people to come forward to assist us with the investigation. They may have saved the man from even worse injuries, and from being robbed.
 
"We are working to establish the full circumstances and and anyone who can help is asked to contact us via 101@sussex.pnn.police.uk or call 101 quoting serial 687 of March 23.

"You can also call the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111."