A MASKED thug slashed a man’s face in an "unprovoked attack" in Southend which the victim fears could have been a case of mistaken identity.

Nicky Gilbert, 28, was left covered in blood after the hooded man allegedly attacked him at random in Cokefield Avenue, Southend.

Nicky has been left with a huge gash across his eyebrow and cheek and fears his attacker used a razor blade to slash him.

He fears the incident could have been a case of mistaken identity after his attacker approached him at random and slashed at his face before Nicky fled.

The incident, at 10.30pm on Tuesday night, has been reported to police and Nicky has issued an urgent warning to anyone living in the area.

He said: “It all happened so quickly.

“It was so bizarre but scary.

“I went for a walk as I do most nights and as I was walking, a man walked up to me, with his face covered and hood up, and all of sudden slashed me with something before walking away.

“I think it was like a razor blade, but it missed my eye by about half an inch. It was down my eyebrow and around my eye on my face. But it deflected off my glasses, which in a way is what protected my eye.

“My face was bleeding, and I couldn’t really see out my left eye in the moment as I thought it had been cut too.

“I am still in shock.”

Nicky has urged any witnesses to contact Essex Police as a matter of urgency and believes the incident may have been captured on a CCTV doorbell in the residential area.

He added: “It has shaken me up as it isn’t something you expect to happen. I don’t know what his thought process was.

“I went home and checked it out, managed to stop it bleeding myself, and put Steri Strips over it.

“It is very strange. He didn’t say anything to me, he just stared at me, did it and walked away like nothing happened.

“I just want to put a word of warning out as there are lots of elderly people in the area too.

“It all happened very quickly.”

A spokesman for Essex Police said: "We’re investigating an incident which took place in Southend during which a man sustained a cut to his face.

"The victim, a man aged in his 20s, was in Cokefield Avenue between 10.30pm and 11pm on Tuesday 27 February when he was approached by another man who assaulted him using a sharp instrument. He sustained a cut to his face.

"No arrests have been made and our enquiries are ongoing.

"Anyone who witnessed the incident or has any information on it should get in touch.

"Please cite crime reference 42/32028/24."