A HAMSPHIRE man was left lying in a pool of blood after an alleged attack by a door-to-door salesman who forced his way into his home.

Mike Cook and his wife Sophie said they were left frightened when the man, who was selling gas and electricity for ScottishPower, refused to take no for answer and launched into a rage.

ScottishPower have suspended a member of staff following the allegations, which will be in place until the outcome of the police investigation.

After twice closing the door on the salesman at their home in Nutbeam Road, Eastleigh, Mike tried for a third time to get him to stop kicking and banging their door.

It was then, they claim, that the man, shouting abuse, stepped into their hallway and punched the 60-year-old in the face twice, before running off.

Software engineer Mike was taken to Southampton General Hospital, suffering from a broken nose.

The alleged attack took place just as the couple, who have been married three years, were dishing up dinner at 5.30pm.

Sophie, 62, a retired college lecturer and greatgrandmother, said: “I heard a knock at the door, answered it and after he had introduced himself, I said I was not interested, that I had my dinner on the table and closed the door.

“We then heard the door really banging so I went again and it was the same man, shouting and being very aggressive, so again I said no thanks and closed the door.

“He then started to really kick the door and at this point I was getting quite scared so Mike answered the door and without warning he began hitting him.

“The blood was just everywhere and when he came into our hallway I was so frightened.”

Police have arrested a 19-year-old man from Havant on suspicion of assault occasioning actual bodily harm and has been bailed until December.

A spokeswoman from ScottishPower said that complete background checks are made of all their agents and that the company demands high standards from all of their employees.