A WOMAN has been left terrified in her own home after a vicious gang attack left her unconscious.

Josie McConnell, 47, was walking alone to her home on Thorney Bay Caravan Park, on Canvey, when she was assaulted on her doorstep.

The mum says she was stamped on, kicked and hit with sticks. She was unconscious when police arrived on the scene.

She said: “I was walking home and this group of 12 men followed me. They were shouting death threats and said keep walking and then I heard them say to each other: ‘Get her when no one can see her’.

“They followed me to my garden. They picked up a gas bottle and smashed it over my head.

“They kept stamping and hitting me with sticks on my back. I blacked out, but someone called the police.”

Mrs McConnell was left with head injuries, bruises across her body and cuts on her back.

She was taken to Southend Hospital and returned home the next day.

Mrs McConnell moved to the site in March this year and says she is now living in fear.

She said: “I’m terrified. I can’t sleep at night and I keep vomiting too because of my head injury. I feel very vulnerable on my own, I just can’t take it.”

The next day Mrs McConnell’s daughter Hayley, 24, and a neighbour were also attacked and were left with black eyes.

Essex Police said they are investigating the assault on Saturday night. No arrests have been made.

Officers were called to the scene at about 10.15pm when a neighbour found Mrs McConnell unconscious.

A spokeswoman said: “Investigations into the assault are continuing.

Anyone with any information is asked to call Rayleigh Police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”