An 18-year-old man was left with a fractured jaw when he tried to stop three young women from being attacked.

Aaron Woodward, from Maidstone, was on his way home from a night out when he heard his girlfriend, Ashleigh Smale, also 18, and her two friends scream for help a short distance ahead.

One of the girls had been pushed to the ground in High Street, near Betfred, and a man was attempting to lash out at Miss Smale and her friend.

Mr Woodward, who lives in Downswood, pulled the offender by the back of his shirt to stop him from hurting the pair, but a second man appeared and punched him in the face – almost breaking his jaw in two.

“The pain was really bad,” the sixth former said. “But my main concern was making sure the girls were safe. They were screaming and crying hysterically.

"My main concern was making sure the girls were safe. They were screaming and crying hysterically..." - Aaron Woodward

“He grabbed one of the girls by their hair and practically threw her into the road. It was horrible.

“The second guy just came out of nowhere.”

Mr Woodward, who attends Valley Park School in Huntsman Lane, called out to police officers nearby, but his attacker fled.

The group had spent last Saturday night at Source Bar, in Rose Yard. The incident happened shortly after they left at about 3am on Sunday.

They spent two hours providing statements before Mr Woodward took a taxi to Maidstone Hospital.

After undergoing x-rays, he was sent for further examinations at Queen Victoria Hospital in East Grinstead, which specialises in reconstructive surgery.

Mr Woodward added: “My face had started to swell up and was quite badly bruised. You could see a bit of bone sticking out.

“The doctors said it was really close to breaking in half. I can’t close my jaw at the moment but they’re hoping it will heal.”

Mr Woodward said the experience has put him off from going out in his hometown, adding: “It’s made me wary and the girls are all really shaken up.”

A 27-year-old man from London was arrested on suspicion of assault. He has been released on bail until Tuesday, April 21. Officers are still searching for a second suspect.

Witnesses are asked to call 101 with any information.

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