A music student was left with a broken jaw after being attacked outside a Brighton seafront hotel.
Miles Ward, 23, was talking to a busker outside the Thistle when five or six men came over and one of them kicked over the busker’s cup of change.
Mr Ward, a pianist and singer, asked him to help pick up the change but the man punched him in the face.
The blow broke Mr Ward’s jaw in two places and he has had surgery during which metal plates were inserted.
The men walked off up Black Lion Street after the attack which happened at about 11pm on Saturday (28 July).
A friend of Mr Ward challenged them about the attack and hey pushed him and tried to start a fight with him before walking back towards the Thistle.
Dectective Constable Caroline Ingold said that Mr Ward was devastated by his injuries which had had “awful consequences on his life”.
DC Ingold said: “It is going to be at least six months before the victim is able to function normally.
“This attack has had a particularly bad effect on the victim as he is a musician, plays piano and sings.
“He is studying at music college and is unable to take part in college or work now because he can’t move his mouth.
“The attack has taken away from him what he loves doing.”
The suspect was described as a white man with blond hair, 5ft 7in to 6ft tall and aged in his early to mid twenties. He was wearing a light-coloured shirt and jeans.
Anyone who was in the group or who saw the attack is asked to contact Sussex Police on 101 or the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.
