Man punches birthday woman in face at Black Lion in Bishop’s Stortford
A woman was punched in the face while celebrating her 25th birthday at a Bishop’s Stortford pub.
It was one of three assaults on women that happened on the same night at the venue that were reported to police.
Megan Wood was enjoying a night out with friends at the Black Lion in Bridge Street when she was struck by a man wearing a green top.
She has no recollection of the incident and came round dazed and confused, with one cheek swollen and her left eye throbbing.
Other women at the pub that night have since alleged on social media that they too were targeted by the man, who “tried to punch” them and threw drinks in their faces.
Police are investigating the assaults in the early hours of Sunday (Oct 27) between 1.45am and 2am. They want to hear from anyone who witnessed them or has information about the attacker.
East Herts Community Safety Sergeant Nathan Howson said: “Our enquiries are continuing at this time to establish what happened and whether these incidents are linked. This includes a review of any CCTV opportunities.
“As part of our enquiries, I am also appealing for members of the public to please come forward with any information they may have about incidents at the pub on the evening of Saturday 26 October into the early hours of Sunday 27 October.
“If you were in the Black Lion that night or were in the area and you noticed anyone acting suspiciously, we’d be keen to hear from you.
“We are working with the venue in order to progress enquiries.”
Megan, who lives in Epping and works as a receptionist for a car dealer in Harlow, attended Princess Alexandra Hospital for treatment just hours after the attack. On Tuesday (Oct 29) she went to the minor injuries unit at Cheshunt because of continued pain in her eye.
She told the Indie she had no idea what happened and had received conflicting reports.
“We only wanted to go out for a couple of drinks and it all went wrong!” she said.
“I’ve been told it was a complete accident and he was swinging at the girl sitting next to me in the pub’s smoking area, but was also told that he was aiming for me.
“I have absolutely no memory of it and don’t even remember seeing him beforehand.
“I was out for the night as it was my birthday the day before (Friday) and had been on the dance floor and been drinking. I then went to the smoking area for a vape and was talking to a girl with short blonde hair.
“The next thing I know I’ve come round and I’m crying and don’t know why. Everyone was looking at me and I heard someone say ‘That girl’s been punched’.
“I must have gone into shock as I was switching between laughing and crying and my eye was killing me.”
Megan praised Black Lion staff for looking after her. She was taken to her friend’s house in Old Harlow, where her friend’s mother suggested she be taken to hospital.
“I don’t remember the guy at all, but my friend said she chased after him but didn’t know where he went.
“My mum reported it to police about 4am that morning and they’ve since spoken with me.
“I’m really unsure if I was knocked out. The police said they’d check the CCTV and see if it looks like I was knocked out.”
A spokesperson for Hertfordshire Constabulary confirmed: “Police are investigating an assault which occurred at the Black Lion pub in the early hours of Sunday.
“It was reported that between 1.45am and 2am, a man punched a woman in the face, requiring treatment at hospital. It is believed that the man was wearing a green top.”
Anyone with information can contact Sgt Howson via Nathan.howson@herts.police.uk; report it online at herts.police.uk/report, speak to an operator in the force communications room via online web chat at herts.police.uk/contact or call 101, quoting crime reference 41/90232/24.
Alternatively, you can stay 100% anonymous by contacting Crimestoppers on 0800 555111 or via the independent charity’s untraceable online form at crimestoppers-uk.org.
