Teenager left with broken jaw after knuckleduster attack

A teenage boy has been left with a broken jaw after he was attacked by a male wearing a knuckleduster in east Belfast as he cycled home on Sunday evening.

Police said the 14-year-old and a friend were cycling home from the city centre at about 7.20pm when an older male approached them at Middlepath Street.

The male, who is believed to be aged 16 or 17 and was wearing a black tracksuit at the time, punched the teenager in the mouth.

The victim’s front tooth was knocked out in the attack and he suffered a broken bone in his upper jaw.

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Sgt Andrea Campbell of the PSNI said it would not be possible to permanently replace the teenager’s lost tooth until he was 20-years-old.

He also suffered a punctured lip and a bloody nose.

As the injured boy and his friend left the area they were attacked with stones in the Pitt Park area.

The other boy was uninjured.

“The teenager was treated in hospital and his doctor has advised that the teen’s injuries are consistent with a ring or knuckleduster having been used by the assailant,” said Ms Campbell.

“We need to identify this offender and would appeal for anyone who saw anything that could help with our investigation into this incident to contact police on the non-emergency number 101, quoting reference number 1520 of 29/10/17.”

PA