ATTACKERS who changed a teenager's life with a single punch to the head are still on the loose one year on.

A mother has issued a plea for information about an assault in which her son suffered life-changing injuries, after intervening in a fight.

The attack happened in Abingdon's Market Place at about 2am on Saturday, August 26 last year, outside Sami's kebab van. 

The victim, aged 18 at the time, was at the kebab van after a night out.

Police said his friend became involved in an 'altercation' with other men, and the victim stepped in to help protect him.

One of the group punched his head and he fell to the ground, smashing his head on the cobblestones and fracturing his skull.

He has lost ability to smell and taste and his family fear he might never regain these senses.

Though he is recovering physically, police said the 'mental scars go on' and have urged people to 'look into your conscience and come forward'. 

To mark the anniversary his mother, who has asked not to be named, has featured in a fresh police appeal to track down the culprits.

She said: "He was in total agony for the weeks that followed, and has lost his sense of taste and smell. It’s possible that this will never return.

"He had so much to look forward to.

"He was due to start at university in the September – something which he had to postpone to allow time for the physical injuries to heal."

Recalling that night she explained her son, who had not long finished school, was out with friends and had stopped at the town centre kebab van. 

She said: "He noticed his friend was involved in a fracas with other men, and went over to try and appease and help his friend out of a bad situation.

"He can’t remember the incident himself, but I got a call from the doctors at the John Radcliffe Hospital a couple of hours later."

She said as soon as she rushed to the hospital in Oxford she could tell he was not in a good way.

The mother continued: "My son was talking in riddles, shouting out and hallucinating.

"I tried to calm him down and told him to get some sleep.

"Unfortunately, the doctor had told him off a couple of times for shouting, and I had to tell the doctor that this was completely out of character for my son.

"He is a placid and good-natured lad, even when he has been drinking."

She said the doctor then checked his eyes and gave him a CT scan.

The mother added: "My worst nightmare came true.

"He had a fractured skull and contusions [bruising] at the front of his skull.

"This was as a result of one punch which caused him to fall and hit his head on the cobblestones."

Police had found the victim lying on the floor, conscious but with a serious head injury. 

His mother said he has since lost a lot of weight as he says everything now tastes 'strange', which has put him off eating.

She added: "The things he used to love, he now doesn’t touch. Things like cheese, Marmite, and chocolate.

"The following months were a very low time for my son.

"It was explained to him that he could not play rugby or go to the gym or fly for at least six months because the pressure wouldn’t be good for his head."

She said even though he is now a lot better, her son and his loved ones have endured a 'traumatic year'.

She continued: "I am pleading with anyone who may have seen the perpetrators to get in contact with the police.

"No matter how small the information may seem to you, please let the police know."

Two arrests have been made since the attack, but both suspects were released without charge.

Investigating officer Sergeant Rhys Miles, of the Investigation Hub based at Abingdon, said: "This was an assault that caused a very serious injury to the victim.

"The incident highlights the dangers of one-punch attacks, because the victim fell to the ground and sustained a fractured skull, which has had life-changing impacts.

"The victim lost his sense of taste and smell - senses that may never fully return.

"Although he has otherwise recovered from the injury, it has clearly had a lasting impact on the victim, his friends and family.

"Thankfully, he has recovered from the physical injuries, but the mental scars and effects this has had go on."

Police have interviewed witnesses and reviewed CCTV footage, but are issuing a new appeal to anyone else who may have seen what happened.

Sgt Miles added: "While I appreciate this incident happened one year ago, I am hopeful that there are still some witnesses who recall what happened, who have not yet made contact with us.

"I ask you to look into your conscience and come forward, calling 101, quoting reference number 43170253708.

"Likewise, if you know who the offenders are and have been concerned about coming forward, again, please look into your conscience and call us, or phone Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111."