A CAR passenger attacked a man and broke his jaw after he was spotted leaping out of the vehicle to urinate in a residential street.

Police believe the attack was unprovoked but it came just moments after a man, thought to be in his 20s, got out of a convertible car and relieved himself against a fence in St Helen’s Road, Westcliff.

The victim, a 56-year-old man, was grabbed around the throat and punched in the face, causing him to fall to the floor.

He was left with a broken jaw and bruising around his neck. Police are treating the incident as a grievous bodily harm assault.

Chief Insp Scott Cannon, Southend district commander, said the attack was “nasty” as he appealed for witnesses to come forward.

He said: “It appears to have been an unprovoked attack. The vehicle stopped next to the victim and the suspect has grabbed him around the throat, causing bruising.

“He has then punched him to his face, breaking his jaw. That has caused the victim to fall to the floor.

“It is quite unusual. It doesn’t seem to be down to crime or drugs. It originally started as the suspect was urinating outside a house.

“He got back in to the car but then got out again and attacked the victim.”

The car was described as a black Saab 9-3 convertible. It drove off in the direction of Canewdon Road, Westcliff.

The attacker is described as being white with ginger hair. He was wearing a grey top, blue jeans and bright blue trainers.

Police do not have a description of the driver.

Residents said they were shocked by the attack, which happened at about 2.45pm on May 9.

Meredith Beale, 67, said the street is usually quiet, apart from traffic cutting down the one-way street to Hamlet Court Road.

She said: “You do get a few beeps from cars because the road is narrow when everyone is parked up. Tempers can boil over.

“I’ve never seen any real road rage her before. It is a worry if someone was hurt.”