Students beaten in brutal subway attack while on way to West Lancashire College in Skelmersdale

Jan 3 2013 by Rob Pattinson, Skelmersdale Advertiser

A STUDENT lost two teeth after being kicked in the head in a vicious subway attack while on his way to college.

The teenager and his friend were set upon by a gang of three yobs while walking through the underpass near Whitemoss filling station.

The pair, both 17, were on their way to West Lancashire College at 9.20am on Wednesday, December 19, when one of the attackers bumped into one of them and swore at him.

He then punched the student in the face, splitting his lip open, and as he fell to the floor the trio then started to kick him in the head and back.

The brutal attack knocked out two of the teenager’s teeth and left him covered in cuts and bruises. The teenager’s friend tried to pull one of the attackers away, and was then also punched in the back of his head. He suffered a cut behind his ear and grazed his face when he fell to the floor.

During the assault, one of the thugs ripped off the first teenager’s T-shirt, which was found discarded in the bushes nearby. The pair staggered away and concerned onlookers phoned the police.

None of those who reported the attack had seen it take place, but one had heard a female voice shouting for the thugs to stop what they were doing.

Lancashire police have now launched an appeal for witnesses to come forward and help with the investigation.

PC 4118 Kerry Briggs said: “This unprovoked attack on the two students was brutal and cowardly. The victim who lost his teeth in the attack has a brace fitted at the moment and cannot eat until the New Year, due to ongoing dental work.”

The three attackers are all described as being white and aged between 17 and 18 years old. The male who barged into one of the victims was wearing a North Face fleece and black tracksuit bottoms, possibly AirMax ones.

Anyone with any information can call police on 101 or Crime Stoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.