CCTV released by Leicestershire police shows a man kicking and stamping on a 66-year-old woman while trying to steal her bag.
The victim was assaulted in the early hours of 13 June after she withdrew money from a nearby cash machine in Little Wood Close, Leicester.
The man can be seen attacking the woman from behind and dragging her to the ground. He then repeatedly kicks her in the face and head before stamping on her.
The victim eventually managed to scream which caused her attacker to flee empty handed only after suffering bruising to her face.
She has spoken out since the attack in the hope of preventing similar incidents in the future: “This was a terrible incident that happened to me, I cannot understand why it happened," she said.
"I would like this person caught so it doesn’t happen to somebody else. I hope that anybody with any information tells it to the police so this person can be caught.”
The footage has been released to find people who may have information regarding the attack.
PC 1097 Daniel Thorpe, the investigating officer, said: “This was a particularly nasty and callous attack on a lone woman going about her daily business. This man had no regard for her safety and the long term effects of this assault on the victim have made her fearful of going out early on in the day and the pain she went through with the bruising.
“Since the incident we have carried out a number of enquiries including the arrest and release of one suspect but unfortunately we have been unable to find the person responsible."
