Brutal assault puts teenager in hospital

Police hunt Axminster attacker who boasted about leaving 16-year-old youth needing 34 stitches to his face

A 16-year-old youth needed 34 stitches to his face, and suffered bruising to his eye, after being brutally assaulted in Axminster.

Police say he was walking at Lyme Close in the early hours of Saturday, August 11, when he was the victim of the unprovoked attack by an unknown male. It took place on the footpath between Long Ragg Court and the fire station.

Before running off towards the police station, the attacker boasted to the victim’s friends about what he had just done.

The suspect is described as a white male, aged 20 to 30-years-old. He is average build with light brown or blonde hair which was styled with the front brushed upwards. He was wearing light coloured khaki or beige coloured chino-type trousers and a dark coloured hooded top that was possibly a plastic jacket. The suspect is believed to be a local man.

The victim suffered severe lacerations to his face that required hospital treatment. He also suffered facial bruising and swelling to his eye.

Police are asking anyone who thinks they know the attacker’s identity to contact them by dialling 101 and quoting crime number KA/12/408.

Anyone who witnessed the assault, or saw anyone matching the suspect’s description out in Axminster that night is also asked to contact Police.

A police spokeswoman said: “I am keen to know where the suspect may have been on that Friday evening (August 10) prior to the assault. Any information about this assault however small, may assist with the investigation. Alternatively Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously on 0800 555111.”