A FATHER-OF-FOUR went missing from Burnley for eight hours before being found battered and bleeding in a Nelson back street.

Robert George Lowry, 29, has told detectives that the last thing he can remember is leaving Oliver's off-licence in Old Hall Street, Burnley, and reaching the junction with Barden Lane between 11.30pm and midnight on Thursday.

He was found at 7.15am on Friday five miles away, slumped in back Crawford Street.

He was taken to Burnley General Hospital and then transferred to Blackburn Royal Infirmary where he had surgery for a broken jaw and other facial injuries.

Mr Lowry, who was allowed home to Ford Street, Burnley, said today: "That route is one that I regularly take on my own. The last thing I remember is walking towards Barden Lane. I am appealing for anyone who saw what happened to me to tell the police.

"There were several people outside the off licence when I went in so they may have seen what happened to me."

His mother Mary Lowry, 49, had been baby sitting two of Mr Lowry's children Natasha, eight, and Stephen, seven, who live with him.

She said: "The first I knew about what had happened was when the hospital called me on Friday morning. People are scared round here because of what has been happening in Duke Bar and Daneshouse. Some are worried to go out alone at night."

Det Sgt Graham Briggs said: "Mr Lowry went to visit his sister in Bramble Street, off Barden Lane, on Thursday evening.

"He has obviously been given a good beating with extensive head injuries including cuts, bruises and a broken jaw.''

Det Sgt Briggs added: "He has been unable tell us what happened to him and we are appealing for help from the public. Someone may have seen an incident in the Barden Lane area or possible Mr Lowry being dumped from a vehicle in Nelson. He does not know how he got there. He had some drink that evening but certainly was not drunk.''

Anyone with information is asked to contact Burnley CID on 01282 425001.

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