Hove student suffers broken jaw in attack in Brighton

A student from Hove suffered a broken jaw when he was attacked during a night out in Brighton.

The 20-year-old victim, a Brighton University student, was with his girlfriend when he was attacked in Air Street, near the Clock Tower, in Brighton.

He was walking to get a bus home when he and his girlfriend were confronted by three men and two women.

One of the three men began talking to the victim, who comes from Italy, before another of the men punched the student in the face.

He suffered a broken jaw and was taken to the Royal Sussex County Hospital for treatment.

The attack happened outside Evans Cycles at about 4am on Saturday (15 March).

The first man was described as a slim white 18 to 20-year-old, 5ft 9in tall and with short blond spiked hair. He was wearing a white top and jeans.

The second man was wearing dark clothing including trousers and a hooded top that was covering his face and hair.

The third man had dark hair and was wearing a dark jacket, jeans and white footwear. He was carrying a bag on his shoulder.

Detective Constable Kerri Bartup said: “This was an unprovoked attack while the victim was trying to get home with his girlfriend.

“The city centre would have been very busy at the time of the attack so there may have been lots of people who saw it happen.

“If you saw anything or could identify the group involved, please contact me.”

Anyone with information is asked to phone Sussex Police on 101, email 101@sussex.pnn.police.uk or call the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.