Two men attacked in Brighton street

Two men were hurt when they were attacked in a Brighton street.

One of them suffered a serious head wound after being hit with a bottle. The other was threatened with a knife.

Sussex Police said: “Between about 6.50am and 7am on Saturday 5 October, the two victims, men aged 18 and 19 from Hertfordshire who were visiting friends in Brighton, were walking back with two female friends to where they were staying near by.

“As they entered Trinity Street they saw a group of around four or five men and one or two women hanging around the junction with Lewes Road.

“One of the men asked the 19-year-old where he was from and then began following him.

“The man then became abusive before hitting the 19-year-old over the head with a bottle.

“The victim fell to the floor and the 18-year-old went to his aid but a second man from the group approached him and threatened him with a knife.

“The 18-year-old backed away but the man punched him, causing a black eye, and again threatened him with the knife.

“The suspect group then all ran off in the direction of Lewes Road but as the man with the knife passed the 19-year-old, who was unconscious on the floor, he kicked him in the head.

“An ambulance was called and he received eight stitches to his head at the Royal Sussex County Hospital.

“However, a few days later at home he began to get headaches and attended his local hospital where he was diagnosed with bruising to the brain and a small bleed.”

Detective Constable Katy Hartley said: “This was a nasty and unprovoked attack.

“The young man has now been released from hospital and is expected to make a full recovery.

“However, he has been left with scarring to the back of his head and he is fortunate that the outcome was not a lot worse.”

The main suspect was described as a white man in his twenties, average height and thin build. He had black hair and was wearing beige chinos and a hoodie.

Anyone who was in the Lewes Road area that morning and saw what happened or who has any other information is asked to call Sussex Police on 101 or email contact.centre@sussex.pnn.police.uk. Alternatively witnesses can call the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.