A 71-YEAR-OLD man had his nose and eye socket broken by vicious thugs - all for his mobile phone and house key.

The man, who did not want to be named but wanted the public to see the extent of his injuries, was returning home from a birthday party at 12.20am, when two attackers pounced from behind and hit him over the head.

Police believe a weapon was used to hit around his face, chin and nose. He fell to the ground and continued to be attacked on the ground.

His ordeal left him unable to identify the pair, who attacked him in an alleyway between Parr Close and Jeremys Green, Edmonton.

The traumatised pensioner then had his jacket pockets raided, and a mobile phone and a house key taken before the pair ran off.

As well as his broken bones he also had jaw injuries, lacerations to his face and a swollen lip. Dazed and bleeding, the pensioner managed to get up off the ground, find his way home and contact police.

DC John Connor, Robbery Squad said: “This was a very nasty assault on a vulnerable male a short distance away from his home.

Someone knows who committed this offence and we ask that they come forward and help us with our inquiries, so we can prevent these cowardly individuals from doing this to anyone else.

Anyone with information regarding can telephone DC John Conner on 0208 345 4469 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.