A MAN beaten unconscious with a piece of wood by a gang in Burnt Oak has condemned the police's decision to close the case.

The 38-year-old, who does not want to be named for fear of reprisals by his attackers, was returning home from Tesco when he was jumped by three men in Montrose Avenue.

The group began goading the father-of-one before pushing and spitting at him.

One man then swung a piece of wood at the victim from behind and knocked him to the ground.

He sustained bruising to the back of his head and a cut on his lip, which required stitches, following the assault last Thursday afternoon.

Speaking this week, he said: “I can't really remember much at all.

“They were pushing me around and giving me grief, and then the next thing I know I'm in an ambulance.”

But the former mechanic claims the police were only at the scene for about five minutes before saying there was nothing they could do to follow up the attack.

He then received a phone call this week informing him officers had closed the case due to lack of evidence.

The man said: “I am disappointed and disgusted, the police don't want to know anything about it.

“They have just fobbed me off. They have asked me to do my own investigations before they will start looking into it. They're telling me to do their job.

“I don't know what I'm paying my taxes for.

“I'm risking getting attacked again if I go around asking questions.”

The three men are described as being between 17 and 20, wearing jeans and a jumper and had strong Irish accents.

A statement from Barnet police confirmed they had no leads on the case, there were no suspects, no CCTV and have been unable to identify any witnesses.

Officers insisted a full investigation was carried out at the time, and added: “If new evidence does come to light, this matter will be reviewed and acted upon accordingly.”

Anyone with information on the attack can contact Barnet police on 0300 123 1212 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111, quoting crime reference number 2425952/10.