A FATHER has told how he was attacked in the street when he asked a stranger to leave his sleeping daughter alone.

The Brighton man had concussion, temporarily lost his memory and had to have six stitches in hospital when he was punched twice in the street attack.

The 48-year-old, who asked not to be named, was catching up with an old friend outside Waitrose in Western Road, Brighton, when he noticed a man leaning over his three-year-old daughter, who was fast asleep in a pram.

He said: “I thought he was just being friendly and cooing over her a bit. I said she was fine and just sleeping. He went away and I thought nothing of it.

"Then my friend gesticulated because he had come back again but was this time holding her hand and muttering something about her being cold.

"Once again I said she was ok and I thought he had left. Next thing I knew there was this almighty slam to the side of my head and I was sent reeling across the pavement.

“My friend grabbed hold of the buggy and I stepped in between it and the man. I didn’t think he was trying to take her but I did feel the need to protect her.

"I was quite shaken up and she then woke up and was quite upset to see her dad was hurt.”

The victim said he began to feel “wonky” as passersby and staff at nearby businesses administered first aid.

It became clear cartilage was protruding out of his ear and he was “bleeding profusely” and he was later treated in hospital.

He said: “Afterwards I suffered memory loss and at one point even forgot my own name. I want the man to be apprehended because I think he needs help and I fear this could happen to someone else.

"It is worrying to know he could do this in front of a child.”

The assault occurred on December 20 at 3.45pm but police have now released CCTV footage of a man they wish to speak to.

The victim added: “I am appealing for people to take a look at the CCTV picture in The Argus and on the website to see if they recognise him.”

Anyone with information should call 101 or email 101@sussex.pnn.police.uk quoting serial 1041 of December 20, 2014.