A metal plate was fitted in a man's jaw after he was attacked in an alleyway.
The 29-year-old was punched on the right side of his face after approaching a man and a woman arguing in Great Eastern Path, which links Loughton tube station with Roding Gardens.
The attack happened at around 5.30pm on December 21 and the suspect is described as a white man, about 5ft 8ins, wearing sports clothes.
The victim, from Loughton, was taken to hospital with a fractured jaw and had to have a wisdom tooth removed.
Anyone with information is asked to call police.
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