A 12-YEAR-OLD autistic boy was punched in the face during a road rage attack which left him with a badly bleeding mouth.

Nathan Jobson, of Mayweed Avenue, Chatham, was a back seat passenger in his grandfather's car when the assault happened.

The vehicle carrying Nathan, along with two cousins and his granddad, had just passed the roundabout in Victoria Street, Gillingham, when a car hooted behind them.

The driver attempted to overtake, raced along beside Nathan's granddad's car and finally jumped out when both cars came to a standstill at a red light. He opened the back passenger door, mumbled something about everyone laughing at him, attacked the young boy and finally sped off.

Nathan's shocked mum Heidi was called to the scene and took her son straight to Medway Maritime Hospital. She said: "I took Nathan to hospital. His mouth was bleeding quite badly it was cut."

The mother of two has found it hard to come to terms with the events of Saturday, July 31. "I'm absolutely appalled and disgusted that this could happen to a 12-year-old boy. I can't think of words to describe the driver I can't think of anyone doing such a thing."

She contacted Medway Police immediately and they are still investigating the incident. She believes it is urgent the driver is found before he strikes again. She said: "Nobody knows what he is going to do next."

Nathan has been nervous since the attack and has found it difficult to express how he is feeling. Now Heidi is appealing for help to find the man who hurt her son. She is asking for any witnesses to come forward.

"I need to explain to my son that there's some justice. I don't want him to think that you can do that to people and get away with it," she stressed.

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact Medway Police on 01634 884252 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.