A homeless man was rushed to hospital and had to undergo hours of surgery after being hit in the eye with a 20p coin which was allegedly shot from a catapult.

The victim was left covered in blood after being hit by the object after trying to break up a fight in the town centre.

At around 10.30pm on Thursday, the man, who doesn’t want to be named, witnessed a fight and between two men near Lockmeadow entertainment complex in Maidstone before stepping in to help one which had been “beaten badly”.

After doing so, the homeless man was struck in the face with a coin which he claims was shot from a catapult.

He was taken to hospital by paramedics where he later underwent surgery.

“I was covered in so much blood that even my own brother didn’t recognise me when he arrived at the hospital,” the victim told KentOnline.

Kent Police confirmed officers were called by ambulance staff at 10.30pm.

A spokesman added: “Kent Police was called by South East Coast Ambulance Service at 10.30pm on Thursday, April 10, after a man suffered an eye injury in the vicinity of College Road, Maidstone.

“The injury is reported to have been caused by a catapult. The man was taken to hospital and has since been visited by local patrols.”

No arrests have been made.

Inquiries are ongoing to establish the full circumstances and anyone with information which may assist the investigation should call Kent Police on 01622 604100, quoting reference 46/59747/25.

Officers are asking for anyone who may have seen what happened or who has dashcam or CCTV footage from the area to come forward.