The ambulance service has apologised after a man who suffered a fractured eye socket in a random street attack had to make his own way to A&E 17 miles away.

Lee had been out clubbing with friends in Canterbury before a hooded stranger rained blows on his head in Ivy Lane.

The 23-year-old managed to get back to his home in the city before calling 999 - but was left feeling “very alone” and upset when police said they would not attend.

By the time an ambulance arrived, almost three hours later, the currency exchange worker had already got a taxi to the William Harvey Hospital in Ashford.

Lee told KentOnline it is “disturbing” emergency services did not attend following the nasty assault at about 3.30am on Sunday.

Recalling the traumatic events, he said: “I had been out with my mates at Club Chemistry.

“After getting a McDonald’s, I was on my way home when I was approached by someone I did not recognise, who said: ‘What are you looking at?’.

“I said I was walking home and he just attacked me while I was mid-sentence and without any provocation.

“The first punch took out my eye so I couldn’t see.

“I don’t remember too much but he kept hitting me in the head.”

Lee says the thug was about 5ft 8, white and about 18 or 19 years old. He was wearing a hoodie tracksuit.

He added: “It was quite disturbing the fact police wouldn’t come out to an assault case.

“Surely they’re not that short-staffed?

“I still haven’t been outside since the attack happened.

“My injuries are starting to heal but it has been tough on my emotions.

“I am a little afraid to go out in Canterbury, which is a big part of living there.

“Also, nobody came out to me, which made me feel very alone at the time and it was quite upsetting.”

During the attack, Lee lost vision in his left eye but doctors told him his eyeball had not been damaged. He also sustained a fractured nose, bruises and scrapes.

His sister issued an appeal on social media for those with CCTV, dashcam or doorbell footage in the area to come forward.

She posted: “My brother is such a quiet and calm person that always keeps to himself and did not deserve this.

“Please help if you can get this dangerous little s*** brought to justice.”

The South East Coast Ambulance Service (Secamb) says it was alerted to the incident by police at about 3.30am on Sunday and contacted the patient.

It was triaged as a Category 3 call, which means paramedics aim to provide a response within two hours.

A number of callbacks were reportedly attempted and messages were left confirming they were trying to make contact.

Following this, an ambulance attended the scene at about 6.15am but by this point Lee was already at the hospital.

A Secamb spokesman said: “We take all concerns raised seriously and we are sorry that we were unable to respond to Lee within our expected timeframe.

“We work hard to reach all patients as quickly as possible while prioritising our response to our most seriously ill and injured patients.

“We wish Lee a good recovery and would invite him to contact us directly so we can look into his concerns in more detail.”

Kent Police was also asked why it did not attend the scene.

A spokesman said: “In discussions with the victim, during which initial evidence was captured, it was established he was at home and no longer at risk.

“On initial assessment of the circumstances, it was agreed with the victim that immediate officer attendance was not necessary and an officer would provide an update in due course as the investigation progressed.

“The investigating officer has since been in contact with the victim, collected CCTV footage and is appealing for witnesses or anyone with information to contact the appeal line on 01843 222289 quoting reference 46/39998/25.”