Man Breaks Teenager's Jaw

Police are investigating after a 16-year-old boy was assaulted by a man as he was taking part in a snowball fight in woodland in Southampton.

The boy was playing with four friends in woods close to Willow Tree Walk and South East Road, known as Bunny Hill, at around 6.35pm on Monday, January 21.

Two men approached the group from the road and accused them of throwing a snowball
at their car smashing a window.

The group did not think they had and decided to run away but as the victim went past the men he was grabbed by his coat by one of them. He was then punched in the face.

He fell to the ground where he was then also kicked once in the same
place. Both men took part in the assault.

The men then got distracted and the victim seized his chance to get away.

The two men are described as:

Black, around 5ft 8 inches tall, stocky build, short shaved dark hair and possibly wearing a body warmer with a jacket underneath.

White, 6ft tall and of skinny build with short fair hair and wearing a blue jacket.

The attack on the youngsters left him with a fractured jaw and caused a tooth to fall out. He is currently in hospital being treated for his injuries and is expected to have to undergo an operation to fit a metal plate in his jaw to allow
it to mend.

Officers are keen to hear from any witnesses who may have seen what happened. They believe the area is well used by dog walkers so it is likely someone would have seen what happened.

Anyone with information is asked to call Detective Constable Esra Phillipson-Masters at Bitterne CID on 101