Police are investigating an alleged politically motivated attack on a Conservative local election candidate who was punched while out leafleting in Essex.

Carla Hales said she was hit multiple times on Wednesday afternoon outside Bourne Mill in Colchester’s New Town and Christ Church ward by a man who hurled anti-Tory abuse at her.

“I had some of my leaflets and was hoping to get some selfies and that sort of thing,” she told the BBC. “I didn’t really hear anyone approach because I had my head in my phone. A man came up behind me and gave me three quick punches in my side and then said some things I can’t say.”

She told the Halstead Gazette that she was sworn at and called a “fucking Tory bitch” before the man ran away. “It just happened so quickly, I sat there for a second and thought: did that actually happen? I took a deep breath and had a real deep pain in my side and for a second thought: have I been stabbed?”

The 46-year-old complained of sore ribs and a “slightly bruised ego” on social media after going to the hospital for a checkup, but she was able to return her job as a music teacher on Thursday.

The local Conservative group leader, Darius Laws, said: “This is the ugly side of politics and it is an attack not just on a Conservative but an attack on democracy. It is an attack on everyone who seeks to put their name forward to stand up for the communities; such violence and intimidation is utterly deplorable.”

The Colchester MP, Will Quince, tweeted: “Absolutely disgusted to hear one of our local election candidates, Carla Ellen Hales, has been the victim of a politically motivated violent assault. My thoughts are with Carla who is one of the loveliest most genuine people I know. I hope Essex police catch the perpetrator.”

I have been in touch with @CarlaEllenHales who is in good spirits and intends to be back out campaigning soon - if anyone has any information that could help identify the perpetrator then please contact @EssexPoliceUK on 101 ASAPhttps://t.co/B3upGjNrIt — Will Quince MP (@willquince) April 25, 2019

Essex police said: “We are investigating following an assault in Colchester. A woman in her 40s reported a man had verbally abused her and punched her to the side in Bourne Road at around 4pm on 24 April. Our enquiries are ongoing.”

It follows a number of other attacks on local election canvassers. Norfolk police are investigating an assault on the Labour councillor Cathy Cordiner-Achenbach after she was punched on the campaign trail in Great Yarmouth this month.