CCTV footage shows bashing of man, 85

Detective Sergeant Shaun Vickers (R) said Eric Brady (L) suffered a broken jaw, cracked cheekbones and severe bruising. Main photo / NZ Police

Battered and bloodied, 85-year-old Eric Brady crawled into the Papatoetoe RSA and called to his mates: "Some bastard just assaulted me."

Mr Brady, who fought in World War II, was savagely beaten as he left the RSA on Wednesday night.

A widower, Mr Brady was getting into his car about 8.30pm when a man tried to drag him out of the driver's seat in an attempt to steal the vehicle.

Mr Brady fought back, but was overwhelmed by the man who callously removed his shirt before viciously beating the father and grandfather.

Mr Brady has broken left and right jaw bones, cracked cheek bones, bruising and swelling to his face and chest, a cut elbow, and a possible fractured eye socket.

He was in a stable condition in Middlemore Hospital awaiting surgery last night.

Police are looking for a Maori or Pacific Island man of skinny or athletic build, who was wearing a black or dark coloured top, white trainers and black shorts.

He also had a white basketball top with NO 13 on the back, which he removed before bashing Mr Brady.

RSA secretary-manager Stephen Walker, who has seen security camera film of the attack, said the assault was "so vicious the car was rocking as he hit him".

The attacker eventually ran off, and Mr Brady made his way, bleeding and in pain, from the carpark back into the RSA rooms.

Duty officer Allan Baker saw him come through the rear doors.

"Blood was running down his face ... I didn't realise at the time but he'd cut his arm badly, too. I poked my head out the doors and this coward was running, flat out. He wasn't looking back."

Close friend Frank Green, who visited Mr Brady yesterday afternoon, was shocked by his injuries.

"I walked into the room and, oh Jesus, I thought 'that's not him' ..."

Mr Green had a message for the person responsible for the attack.

"The bloody mongrel that did this to Eric ... this is a despicable deed, and you will get yours at some stage in life."

An RSA member, who did not want to be named, said the attack had left the club in shock.

"We are a bit shaken," he said. "The place was much less hearty today. Everyone is worried and subdued."

- ADDITIONAL REPORTING: Isaac Davison