A 15-year-old boy was left with scratches and facial injuries after an "unprovoked assault" at the Great Lines in Gillingham.

The teenager had been playing football at the St John Fisher School playing ground in Maidstone Road, Chatham, and walked across the park in Marlborough Road to his house.

When he got back just after 7pm he realised he had lost his knee support, and decided to retrace his steps.

As he made his way back to the Great Lines war memorial the teen was approached by a man, who punched him in the face and pushed him in the stomach, ripping his shirt.

The victim is reported to have punched the man back before running home and calling police.

He was left with a swollen right eye and scratches to his stomach in the incident, which happened on September 22.

Officers are now appealing for any witnesses to the incident to come forward.

Investigating officer PC Mel Ling said: "This appears to have been an unwarranted and unprovoked attack of a teenage boy walking alone across Great Lines.

"This appears to have been an unwarranted and unprovoked attack of a teenage boy walking alone across Great Lines" - PC Mel Ling

"We would urge anyone who might have been walking across the Great Lines at the time and witnessed the incident or who may have some information that could prove helpful, to contact us as soon as possible."

The offender is described as a black man in his early 20s, about 6ft 1ins tall, of muscular build and with short black hair. He was wearing a black Nike hooded top and grey jogging trousers.

If anyone has any information call PC Ling on 101 quoting reference XY/30099/13. Alternatively, contact Kent Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.