Boy slashed ‘from ear to his mouth’ (From The Northern Echo)

Boy slashed ‘from ear to his mouth’

7:51am Saturday 30th August 2008 in

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POLICE are investigating after a teenage boy suffered a slash wound from his ear to his mouth.

The 16-year-old was found lying on a grass verge at a busy road junction in Maiden Lawn Bank, near Lanchester, County Durham.

A passing motorist raised the alarm after stopping to help the youngster at about 3.30pm on Thursday.

He told police he had been set upon by a gang of youths, who attacked him after getting out of a passing car.

As well as the slash wound, the youth suffered broken bones in his hands.

The teenager, who is from the Burnhope area, was taken to the University Hospital of North Durham, in Durham City, where he underwent surgery. Detectives were expected to speak to him yesterday to discover more about how he came by his injuries.

Sergeant Claire Riley said they need to speak to anyone who had been in the area between 3.15pm and 3.45pm on Thursday.

She said: “This boy was found on a grass verge close to the pub on Maiden Law Bank. The pub was closed at the time but this is a section of road that is very well used.

“A passing motorist raised the alarm, but left without speaking to officers.

“We do need to speak to him, but we also need to speak to the many other drivers who will have used this road and may have seen this young boy.”

The victim is described as 5ft 7 in, slim, with short, mousey hair. He was dressed in a black T-shirt and pale blue jeans.

Sgt Riley said: “The boy has given us a brief account of being assaulted by a number of youths who had pulled up in a car, but we do need to talk to him in detail and that will be done later today.”

The severity of the boy’s injuries has horrified the nearby community.

Joanne Cordey, landlady of the Three Horse Shoes, said: “Hearing what has happened to him is really shocking. Something like this is unknown around here.”

Anyone who can help is asked to contact 0345-60-60- 365 or Crimestoppers on 0800-555-111.