A father has been left “furious” after he was reportedly “headbutted and punched several times” in a pub on New Year’s Eve.

Jake Hales said he had to tell his five children he fell over after his face was left covered in cuts and bruises following the alleged assault.

Hertfordshire Constabulary confirmed they were called at around 10pm on December 31 to a report of an assault at the Halfway House in Hempstead Road, Bovingdon.

A police spokesperson said: “It was reported that several men had been involved in a verbal altercation at the bar, which then turned physical.

“It was alleged that the victim was headbutted, before being punched several times. He left the premises before contacting police.

“No arrests have been made at this stage, and enquiries are continuing in order to identify the suspects.”

The Bovingdon resident claimed that after being headbutted by one man, he tripped over a bar stool and was held down by another as he was struck three or four more times.

The 31-year-old also claims he was punched in the back of the head by one of the men as he tried to leave.

The highways worker said: “It was completely uncalled for and don’t really understand why the violence had happened. I’m a dad of five kids and have blood and marks on my face, I’m furious about my kids seeing it.”

Mr Hales says he has been wearing sunglasses around his children to cover up his black eyes.

Watford Observer: Jake HalesJake Hales (Image: Jake Hales)“I’m not a man of scraps in the pub, due to me being a dad, so I had to try and explain to my children something different,” he added.

“I don’t really want them knowing what is happening in the village they live in.”

He added that his fiancée now wants them to move the family, which includes two eight-month-old children, out of Bovingdon.

Mr Hales' injuries were checked by a police officer, who confirmed he had no serious injuries, just cuts and bruises.

Watford Observer: Jake HalesJake Hales (Image: Jake Hales)Police have asked anyone with information about the alleged assault to contact 101 quoting crime reference number 41/17/23.