A teenager with learning disabilities has been injured in a vicious attack in which he was kicked by thugs who threw dog poo at him.

James Lane, an 18-year-old student at Canterbury College, headed to Duncan Down in Whitstable on Sunday evening to enjoy the bank holiday sunshine with friends.

But at about 5pm the group - all of whom have learning disabilities - fell victim to an unprovoked assault by two young men.

James and his sister Amy speak about the attack

James's sister, Amy, 21, said: "On hot days, they like to chill in parks and things because it's nice and it's free to do.

"James and his friends were just chilling when these two boys walked past and started to provoke them and call James names.

"They must have realised they weren't going to retaliate, so the lads started throwing dog poo at them.

"Then they came right up to James's face and said 'what are you going to do about it?'

"That's when they kicked James' friend in the back, and they both attacked James."

James, who lives in Tankerton with a carer, has learning disabilities as well as a speech impediment and a cleft palate.

"He was on the floor and they were kicking him," said Amy.

"Then the boys ran away, and James's friends picked him up and walked to the bus stop, and took him back to where he lives in Tankerton."

One of James's friends - a girl - was not attacked, but was forced to stand by as her pals were assaulted.

"She said she just cried the whole time, and so did James," said Amy.

She is worried the attack will have major repercussions for James.

"He's taking a week off college - he hasn't left his room since," she said.

"He's really shaken up by it. He's really an enclosed person anyway, and this has really taken a toll on him. It's disgusting. It's just not fair.

"He said the boys were about his age, but he didn't even know what they looked like - he didn't take any of it in.

"It was just such a shock to him - he didn't remember what the boys were wearing or anything."

James was taken to Estuary View health centre, where he was checked over by medics.

"Luckily he just had cuts and bruising," Amy said.

"I'm glad James only got a black eye - it could have been so much worse."

Police have been approached for a comment.

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