TWO young thugs punched and kicked a teenager before ripping off his valuable coat and £25 in cash.

The 17-year-old victim and a friend were walking along Hard Lane near Hurst Special School at about 9.30pm on Tuesday, April 29, when three youths approached them from behind, shouting and calling on the boy to give them his cream-coloured Four Seasons Gortex jacket valued at £200.

Feeling intimidated, the pair ran off, eventually splitting up. The youths gave chase and two of them caught up with the 17-year-old and began to punch and kick him. When he fell to the ground, the pair then pulled off his coat, which contained £25 in cash in one of the pockets, and ran off.

The boy was later treated for facial cuts and bruises.

Both attackers were about 18 years of age; one was white, about 5ft 8ins tall with brown spiky hair and spoke with a Liverpool accent; the other was of half-caste appearance, about 6ft tall and more broadly built than the first.

ANYONE with information can contact DS Tommy Baines at St Helens Police Station on 0151 777 6063 or contact the Crimestoppers hot-line on 0800 555 111.

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