Two years after a masked thug viciously beat him with a baseball bat and left him in a pool of blood Joseph DaCosta is still an angry man.

He has to live with daily pain and restricted movements after having his arm broken in four places.

But worst of all the has to deal with the fact that his suspected attacker is walking free and often stops by his Happy Valley Mini Mart store.

The man pounced on Mr. DaCosta 33, as he opened up the Happy Valley Mini Mart two years ago on Thursday.

Neighbours gave chase but he believes a combination of Police disinterest and an unwillingness of witnesses to talk has let his attacker off the hook.

He said a junior officer had handled the case rather than than the serious crimes unit.

?They could not prosecute him even though there was some evidence it was him.

?It was a joke. I was hit across the head with a baseball bat a couple of times. What if I had died?

?In April the Police brought my bloody clothes back to me. I asked if that meant the case was closed. They said no but, isn?t that DNA evidence right there? Why bring back those memories to me?

?Three people saw the attacker laying in wait the grass before it happened.

?Three witnesses saw him come into the area with the baseball bat but didn?t do anything about it until it was too late. That?s pretty sad.?

Mr. DaCosta had already installed security cameras but the man was wearing a mask similar to ones seen in the horror film ?Scream? with a black elongated mouth and black eyes.

Although Mr. DaCosta stressed that many in his neighbourhood had been very supportive he believes a lot of people knew who did it but were unwilling to come forward.

?A couple of things they found almost pinpoint to him.

?No one is saying they found the mask. He was chased but no one is going to say what happened. A lot of people know but they just won?t say.

?We have a feeling about who did it. But what can I do? I cannot stop him coming in the store.?

He said he had considered banning the suspected attacker but the process was too bureaucratic because it involved getting a lawyer to write to the Commissioner of Police.

He said Police advised victims to hand money to attackers rather than resist but his assailant hadn?t even given him a chance to do that.

?He started whacking at me with the baseball bat and would not stop.?

Quick-thinking by the victim?s wife, Ana, saved both the store?s cash and further blows being rained on the victim which could have killed him.

?She was able to get him away. She was brave enough to stand up to him.?

His wife lured the attacker upstairs but then told him she didn?t have the keys to get at the money.

It gave Mr. DaCosta time to call for help while Mrs. DaCosta also alerted neighbours and the man ran off. Neighbours gave chase until the attacker began swinging the baseball bat at them.

But two years on Mr. DaCosta is still acutely aware of his injuries.

?I had extensive surgery after, surgery back in April and I need some more to take out a plate. I don?t have full feeling in my left hand.?

?The movement in my arm is restricted. I can?t move it properly. When the weather is bad I feel it.

?I could live with it if it was an accident but this is something someone did to me.?

As well as lasting physical affects there are deep psychological scars. Mr. DaCosta suffers from nightmares and flashbacks.

?I am a changed man, I am more aggressive and more aware. I don?t take things for granted. I am on my guard at all times.

?I have hired more staff as a precaution.?

Previously a keen footballer and basketball player, Mr. DaCosta has given up because he cannot afford any injuries which could hamper his job further.

?I was sporty but now I am very cautious about what I do. If I fell the wrong way and hurt myself I could not afford to be out. I don?t want to take the chance.?