POLICE are hunting a man with a skull tattooed on his wrist after an 18-year-old was beaten to the floor by a group of four men near New College last week.

The tattoo is one of the key descriptions given by the teenage victim of the assault, which left him with minor facial injuries.

The man was walking home from Swindon town centre on the night of Tuesday, May 19 along Queens Drive before he turned into New College Drive, where he noticed the group on the other side of the road.

It was between 8.30pm and 9pm when he saw the four men cross the road in his direction and block his path.

A Wiltshire Police spokeswoman said: “As he tried to walk past the group, one of the men blocked his path and asked him where he was going.

“The four men then began verbally assaulting the victim, who continued to attempt to walk past them.

“They then pushed him to the floor, held him down and physically assaulted him. It is believed he was kicked all over his body, and punched to the face.

“He sustained minor facial injuries as a result.

“The incident is believed to have lasted less than five minutes.

“The victim left the scene, walking in the direction of Frobisher Drive. It is not clear in which direction the group of four men went, however, they did not follow the victim.

“The four men are described as white, approximately 19 to 20 years of age. One of the men is believed to have had a skull tattoo on his wrist and one had a short beard.”

Anyone who was in the area during the time of the assault, or anyone who may know who the four men are, should call PC Holly Moffatt on 101.

An appeal has also been made for witnesses to an assault which left a man with a fractured jaw outside a Chinese restaurant in late April.

At approximately 4am on Sunday, April 26, a 20-year-old man was assaulted by two men outside Swindon Rendezvous in Princes Street. The victim required hospital treatment as a result of the injuries he suffered in the attack.

It is believed the victim was assisted by two members of the public who prevented the assault continuing further.

Police would like to speak to anybody who was in the area at the time and may have information to help officers with their enquiries. They are asked to call DC Mike Armishaw at Swindon CID on 101.

Alternatively, for either of the witness appeals, people can call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 where information can be left anonymously if preferred.