A TEENAGER was punched and his car taken after he refused to give three men a lift home. The attack happened in a car park in Watling Street, Canterbury, when the a 19-year-old returned to his white G-registration Renault 19 early Sunday after a night out with friends.

As he opened the driver's door, the group, whom he had seen near the car park ticket machine, approached him. One asked if he could give them a lift to Swale. When he refused he was hit twice in the face by one man while another smashed two windows. Seconds later his keys were grabbed from him and he was punched again.

The group was last seen driving the car towards Riding Gate Avenue. The vehicle was later found burnt out in Western Link Road, Faversham.

One thug is white, aged 20 to 25, stocky, with short dark brown hair, and was wearing a light, possibly peach-coloured, long-sleeved shirt. PC Darin Worsfold said: "This was a callous and unprovoked attack. There is little doubt in my mind that these men were waiting around the car park for an opportunity to steal a car to get home in."

Anyone with information is asked to contact Canterbury CID on 817154.