TEENAGE thugs who kicked a man to the ground and left him with a fractured jaw in a brutal broad daylight attack were being hunted by police today.

The horrific incident happened shortly after 6.30pm as the man, aged in his thirties, was walking at the junction of Stockton Road and Merton Road.

He was approached by four teenagers who asked for the time and demanded he hand over his mobile phone.

The victim refused to comply and the young thugs began kicking the frightened man, including to the head.

Luckily, he managed to get up and escape his attackers, who were aged between 15 and 17 years old.

The man was admitted to Royal Berkshire Hospital where he was treated for a fractured jaw.

A spokesman for Thames Valley Police said: "He was approached by four teens asking for the time and when he replied that he did not know they demanded his phone.

"He refused to hand it over and they kicked him several times, including to the head but he managed to get away from his attackers."

Three of the offenders were black and one was mixed race.

Police believe a passerby stopped to help the victim following the attack last Tuesday and have urged them to come forward.

Anyone with information should contact the force on 101.

Police constable Kim Wright added: "This was a brutal attack which has left the victim with a serious injury to his jaw.

"We would like to speak to a member of the public who we believe did stop to help the victim after the assault."