Man suffers broken jaw in pizza shop assault

10:37am Monday 26th November 2007

POLICE are appealing for witnesses to an assault outside a take away which left a man with a broken jaw.

The incident happened outside Pizza Time, on Darlington Road, Ferryhill, between 6.30pm and 6.50pm on Sunday November 11.

The victim, a man from Coxhoe in his thirties, had gone with his wife into Pizza Time to pick up an order.

While they were inside the premises they became involved in a heated argument with a group of between six and ten youths, one of whom followed them outside and across the road.

As the man attempted to get into his car the youth, aged 15 or 16 and wearing a woolly hat and gloves, punched him twice to the head.

He was taken initially to the University Hospital of North Durham before going to Sunderland Royal Hospital for treatment.

His injuries were diagnosed as a broken jaw and a fractured cheek.

Anyone who witnessed what happened is asked to contact PC Helen Snowdon, at Spennymoor police office, on the non-emergency number 0845-60-60-365 or Crimestoppers on 0800-555-111.