A 22-year-old man required surgery for a broken nose and fractured eye socket following a nasty attack in Eldene.

Between approximately 5.30pm and 6pm on March 22, the victim was out jogging from Islandsmead through to Bowleymead when he passed a group of six to eight youths. A member of this group threw a stone at the man. When he confronted them to ask them who had thrown it, one of the youths hit him from behind causing him to fall to the ground.

The man was knocked unconscious, and required hospital treatment for a broken nose and fractured eye socket.

Detective Constable Em Matthews said: “This was a really nasty attack which left this man requiring several hours of hospital treatment for facial injuries. He now faces a lengthy recovery process.

“We believe those in the group to be all aged around 15 to 17 years old – one of them is described as white, approximately 5 ft 8 inches tall, of slim build and with short dark hair.

“We have been carrying out extensive enquiries into this incident including house to house enquiries. We’ve also carried out a letter drop in the area encouraging anyone with information to report it to police to help us identify those responsible.

“We’d be keen to hear from anyone who may have witnessed the incident take place, anyone who saw these youths in the area around the time of the incident, or anyone who thinks they may know who they are. Please call police on 101, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 800 555 111.