A short walk home turned into a nightmare for Craig Richardson when two men set upon him, punching him in the face.

He had just left a friend's place when the attack occurred.

While Craig did not receive serious injuries, the incident has provoked outrage from his parents, John and Cecilia Richardson, who described his attackers as cowards.

"I never thought something like this would happen," Mrs Richardson said.

"Now every time he leaves the house we are going to worry if he is safe."

Before the incident, Mr and Mrs Richardson had encouraged Craig to be independent.

Craig works at Woolworths and is heavily involved with the Wynyard football and cricket clubs.

"We try to let him live a pretty normal life by going out with his mates from time to time," Mrs Richardson said.

Mrs Richardson said Craig was well known throughout Wynyard and many people were upset to hear about the incident.

Sgt Nigel Sheehan, from Wynyard Police, confirmed the matter had been reported and was under investigation.

He said police were treating it as a priority.

No charges have been laid.