Student’s public plea to identify his New Year’s Eve attacker on the northern beaches

Teenager James Beange suffered devastating facial injuries in a cowardly New Year’s Eve assault on Sydney’s northern beaches — now he is asking the public to help catch his attacker.

James Beange, 18 received massive facial injuries when assaulted at a bus stop at Mona Vale early on New Year's Day.

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A university student who suffered devastating facial injuries in a cowardly New Year’s Eve assault is asking the public to help catch his attacker.

James Beange, 18, ended up with two fractured cheekbones; a shattered eye socket and smashed sinuses when he was punched numerous times in the face and head by a stranger near a bus stop at Mona Vale.

James Beange, 18, received massive facial injuries when assaulted at a bus stop at Mona Vale early on New Year's Day.

James Beange, after surgery to repair his smashed facial bones.

The northern beaches’ student now has a titanium plate permanently screwed to his left orbital bone as well as a plastic plate inserted to protect his sinuses.

James was on his own at 12.30am on January 1 after being out with friends at The Newport hotel. He was waiting for an Uber ride to pick him up on the southside of Barrenjoey Rd at Mona Vale. He was standing near two crowded bus stops.

A man in his 20s, about 178cm tall with a thin build, accompanied by another man, came up to James and asked him a question about a person he did not know.

The area in Mona Vale where the attack occured. Picture: Google Maps.

“Then, without warning, he punched me in the left eye,” James said. “I stumbled back and didn’t get a chance to get my guard up and he hit me again.”

As James was on the ground his attacker punched him several more times before walking away.

During surgery at Northern Beaches Hospital, doctors had to remove bone fragments from his sinuses.

Northern Beaches detectives said there were about 100 young people at the two bus stops who may have witnessed the incident.

“I am asking anyone who saw what happened to me to contact police,” James said. “Someone must has seen something that night.”

Witnesses can call Manly Police on 9976 8090 or Crime stoppers on 1800 333 000.