This in from the police, in their words – Ed
Detectives are appealing for witnesses after a teenager was assaulted on the Isle of Wight.
A 17-year-old French boy was walking along Park Road in Cowes near the junctions with Granville Road, Union Road and the entrance to a car park.
Police are investigating reports he was approached by a group of teenagers who then assaulted him between 12.30am and 1am this morning (Friday, August 12).
Unprovoked assault
Investigating officer Detective Sergeant John Stirling of Isle of Wight CID said: “This appears to have been an unprovoked assault on a foreign teenager visiting the island on holiday. He’s suffered serious, potentially life-changing, injuries to his face and is now in hospital receiving treatment.
“We’d like to thank local residents for helping the French teenager and our initial enquiries during the hours immediately after the assault.
“Police have contacted the boy’s family in France and the friends he was staying with on the island. Detectives are already following several leads about the circumstances surrounding what happened.
Police eager to hear
“We’re eager to hear from anyone who saw a group of white teenagers walking out of Cowes town centre in the Park Road area late last night (Thursday) or early this morning (Friday). Anyone with information about the possible identities of suspects is also asked to contact police.”
Contact Isle of Wight CID at Newport Police Station by phoning 101 or emailing iow.cid@hampshire.pnn.police.uk
From outside Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, call police on 0845 045 45 45. Mini-Com users can call the police on 01962 875000. Information can be given anonymously by calling the Crimestoppers charity on 0800 555 111.
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