York boy, 15, punched in the face and tackled to the ground as he walked home

Police are hunting for a man who attacked a teenage boy in York.

The boy, 15, was walking home in the Foxwood area at 10pm on Thursday (9 February) when the attack happened.

He was on a grass area at the bottom of Slessor Road near to an alleyway which leads onto Otterwood Lane when he was followed by another person.

That is believed to be the man who then assaulted him.

The 15-year-old boy was punched several times in the face and was tackled to the ground. He then eventually managed to flee and return home.

The teenager suffered a cut and bruising to his right eye in the attack.

The suspect is described as

• a white man
• in his 40s
• about 5ft 6/7in tall
• of medium build
• with short dark brown hair which was swept over
• and slight stubble.

He spoke with a Yorkshire accent. He was wearing glasses, dark coloured jeans and a green fitted bomber style jacket.

A North Yorkshire Police spokesperson said: “Police are now requesting the public’s assistance to help establish the full circumstances surrounding the incident.

“In particular, officers are appealing for information about anyone who may have seen the incident or who can assist them with identifying the suspect.”

If you can help, you can contact police on the numbers below.

How to help the police

• Call North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option 2 and ask for Toby Spencer
• Email Toby Spencer here
• Contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or via the website
• Quote reference number 12230024977