A woman suffered severe injuries after being beaten up while defending a man who was attacked during an alleged homophobic attack.
Daisy Wells, 28, saw an older man being taunted by a gang of yobs on the way home from a music festival because he had a glittery beard.
She stepped in and told them to stop, but the group of lads turned on her, punching her to the ground and kicking her in the face.
The horrific attack caused her teeth to pierce through her cheek.
The brave sales executive was rushed to hospital for eight stitches to her face and now police are hunting the thugs who struck outside Newcastle's This Is Tomorrow Festival on September 17.
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Despite her injuries, Daisy says she does not regret stepping in and "would do the same again" if it meant defending a vulnerable person.
The woman, from Houghton-le-Spring, Sunderland, said: "I didn't know him, but I wouldn't change what I did to defend that man.
"I could never be a bystander and watch someone get beaten up for no reason other than who they are.
"I think they went for him because of his beard - they thought he was gay, and he was on his own so an easy target.
"I knew I couldn't stand and watch so I shouted at them to leave him alone."
Daisy was leaving the weekend festival at Exhibition Park with boyfriend Adam Darley, 27, and four friends when she spotted the man being attacked.
The sole festival goer was being pushed around by two or three men who were wearing hoodies.
When she told them to leave him alone, they threatened her and kicked her in the face.
Such force was used that her teeth were forced through her cheek - leaving her on the floor with blood gushing down her face.
But Daisy "hardly noticed" the pain as she jumped up to make sure her friends were okay.
She said: "I realised he was on his own and I couldn't just stand there watching someone get beaten up.
"It all happened so fast - the lads ran off and left me to check on my friends.
"I was in complete shock and I couldn't feel the pain - I was spitting out mouthfuls of blood but I barely noticed.
"I didn't realise how badly I was injured until I took off my jacket after and saw it was covered in my own blood.
"I remember thinking 'I've never seen that much blood before in my life - and it's all mine'."
Daisy was taken to the medical tent and then A&E at Royal Victoria Infirmary, Newcastle, where she had stitches on both the outside and inside of her mouth to repair the hole.
The next day she could barely eat after her cheek swelled up, but after taking some medicines she was able to return to enjoy the rest of the festival.
She said: "People were shocked when they saw me with my stitches and swollen face, but I couldn't even feel it.
"Without a doubt, I'd do the same again. But I hope the people responsible can be brought to justice - attacking innocent people is never okay.
"I could never be a bystander watching someone beaten up for no reason - and I'd do it the same again despite my injuries."
A spokesperson for Northumbria Police said: "Officers investigating a series of assaults in Newcastle are appealing to the public for information.
"Shortly before 10.30pm on September 17, police received a report three males had been taunting members of the public as they walked through the underpass connecting Exhibition Park to Brandling Park.
"The males have then assaulted five separate people in a series of unprovoked attacks, causing their victims a variety of injuries, with some requiring hospital treatment.
"An investigation into the assaults has been launched and officers are treating the incidents as linked.
"Detectives have already carried out a range of CCTV enquiries and spoken to a number of witnesses but they are now appealing to the public for information and have released the description of two males they believe were in the area at the time. It is thought the males might hold information which can assist.
Both males are described as average height, slim build, with dark short hair and were both wearing dark jeans. One was wearing a dark T-shirt and the other a dark coloured hoody.
"The males, or anyone who knows them is asked to contact police immediately. Anyone with information who has not yet come forward is also encouraged to get in touch.
"You can contact police using the Tell us Something page on our website, quoting log : NP-20210917-1092."
