A PUNTER is critically ill after being knocked unconscious outside a Charlton betting shop.

The 49-year-old man was coming out of Jennings bookmakers, Charlton Church Lane, at around 7pm on Saturday (November 5) when he was set upon.

He was head-butted by a man, apparently knocking him unconscious, and this man then punched and kicked him repeatedly.

Another man joined in the attack before leaving the victim lying on the ground and running off in the direction of Charlton train station.

A woman watched the attack and then ran off in the same direction as the other two suspects.

The first suspect is white, in his mid-20s, with short brown hair.

He wore a dark coloured jacket, blue jeans and brown shoes.

Suspect two is also white, thought to be aged mid to late 20s, with short dark hair.

He was wearing a red long sleeved top with leather looking patches on the elbows and shoulders, blue jeans and dark coloured shoes.

The woman is white, believed to be in her mid-20s, and of large build.

She has shoulder length dark coloured hair, and wore a white cardigan with a black top underneath and black leggings.

At the time of the attack she had a white handbag over her shoulder.

Police say all three suspects went into the betting shop which their victim had been in since around 6.40pm, placing bets and watching the races.

The three of them then left the bookies and waited outside, and were seen talking to each other before their victim came out.

Investigating officer Detective Sergeant Mick Smith said: "This was a brutal and cowardly attack.

“The victim apparently fell unconscious after he was head-butted, and he was left completely defenceless as the suspects continued their assault.

"He suffered serious head injuries, and remains in a critical condition at hospital.

"The motive for the attack remains unknown at present, and nothing was taken from the victim.

"We need any witnesses who saw the attack, or the suspects or the woman making off, to come forward.

“There were other customers in the bookies at the time - if they have not yet come forward we would ask them to do so.”

Anyone with information on the incident should call the police on 020 8284 9430 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.

There have been no arrests.