A SHOPPER was left eating Christmas Dinner through a straw after his jaw was broken in an attack outside Aldi.

Craig Johnston said he had wished his attacker a Merry Christmas — before being knocked unconscious when the man struck out.

He was also kicked in the face and police believe the attacker used the chord on his jumper to pull round his neck.

The 22-year-old, who lives in Daubhill, had been at the Trinity Street store at about 5pm on December 19 — Mad Friday — to buy beer.

Police said officers arrested a 25-year-old man on suspicion of grievous bodily harm with intent, but that the Crime Prosecution Service had decided there was not enough evidence to proceed with the case.

Mr Johnston said he knew the attacker but was left shocked by the incident.

Mr Johnston said: "I had simply wished him Merry Christmas at Aldi.

"Then he told my mate that he was going to smash my head in.

"I confronted him about it, just outside the main entrance to the store.

"Next thing I just remember waking up on the floor."

He was then taken to Royal Bolton Hospital where he made a complaint to police.

After being transferred to the Royal Blackburn Hospital for an operation, Mr Johnston spent four days in hospital being treated just before Christmas.

He was discharged on December 22 and while he was quickly able to talk properly again, he could only eat puréed food, including his Christmas Turkey.

Mr Johnston added: "I knew where I was when I came to but I was in shock with my jaw.

"It just felt really weird. I've never had a broken bone in my body and then he goes and does that.

"I can eat but everything has to be blended up into soft foods, on Christmas Day as well."

A police spokesman said: "We received a report that a man was in the Aldi supermarket when he saw another male who he knew, as he went out of the shop a verbal argument began and it was reported that the man was punched and kicked in the face.

“It was also reported that a chord from the victim’s jumper was used to pull around his neck as he lay on the floor.”

“A 25-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of grievous bodily harm with intent but on December 21 the Crown Prosecution Service decided it would take no further action as there was not enough evidence to provide a realistic prospect of securing a conviction.”