A TEENAGER suffered a broken jaw during a racially aggravated assault in Bracknell after being punched in the head and stomach.

The victim was walking in the underpass between Wordsworth and Wroxham going under Ringmead when he was approached by a gang.

The incident, which happened between 5.15pm and 6.15pm on February 13, is being investigated by Thames Valley Police.

Five or six white males in dark clothing wearing balaclavas shouted hurtful racial comments, before punching the 15-year-old repeatedly.

The assault lasted roughly three minutes and ended when the victim escaped and ran home, while the gang fled in the opposite direction.

When the victim got home, he noticed he was bleeding from the mouth and was taken to the Royal Berkshire Hospital for x-rays, which revealed he had a broken jaw.

He was then taken to the John Radcliffe Hospital for further treatment and he has since been discharged.

The offenders are all described as young white males.

They were wearing black clothing and balaclavas with hooded tops with hoods up.

Detective constable Nick Brown, of Force CID at Maidenhead, said: “This unprovoked and vicious assault has led to the victim suffering a broken jaw, and he is currently struggling to speak as a result.

“I am appealing to anybody who was in the vicinity of the underpass close to Wordsworth and Wroxham between 5.15pm and 6.15pm last Wednesday, who believe they witnessed this incident, to contact us.

“Likewise, if anybody has any information, or who believes they know any of the offenders, we would like to hear from you.”

Anybody with any information is urged to call the 24-hour non-emergency number 101, quoting reference number 43190047167.

If you don’t wish to speak to police, you can also call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or make a report online.