A WAR veteran said he was left “humiliated” after being physically and verbally assaulted in Eastrop Park, pictured.

Mark Robertson, 50, was walking through the park when he was approached by a woman who instantly became aggressive towards him.

“She just came up to me and started screaming at me, calling me gay and a paedophile,” he told The Gazette.

“I had never seen this woman in my life and I didn’t know what was going on.”

Following the initial incident, which took place on July 6, at around 8pm, Mr Robertson said the woman then spoke to two man who began to chase him.

The former military man said he is unable to move quickly after breaking his back whilst serving in the Gulf War. He added: “It wasn’t really much of a chase.

“When they grabbed me, they started shoving me in the face and grabbing me around the throat trying to get me to fight them.”

He added: “I told them that I wasn’t going to fight them and that I would just call the police, then one of the proceeded to spit in my face and said, ‘well there’s your DNA evidence’.”

The 50-year-old is classed as a vulnerable adult and is supported by staff at the Bridge Centre, in New Road, for anxiety and severe depression.

Mr Robertson added: “Even though I told them I was disabled they didn’t seem to care, they just went on humiliating me.

“Considering how close we were to the police station, I couldn’t believe that what little action was taken by the police at the time.

“Since then, they have given me an attack alarm to help if anything like this ever happens again, but I was just so scared at the time I don’t know how an alarm would help.”

Police have launched an investigation and are looking for a man described as white, 6ft tall, with light coloured hair, aged in his mid to late 20s, wearing checked shorts and carrying a black sports bag over his shoulder in connection with the assault.

A spokesperson from Hampshire Constabulary said: “Officers have visited the victim at his home and safeguarding measures have been implemented.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 101, quoting 44170259213, or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.