A MAN was left with cuts to his eye and ear after he was robbed and assaulted.

The 43-year-old was walking alone near a disused basketball court when he was surrounded by four men on pedal bikes, who then assaulted him and stole his iPhone 4c and money from his pocket.

The robbery happened between Morton Street and Straker Street in Hartlepool on Sunday, August 28, Bank Holiday Sunday, at about 2.15pm, but police have only just released details.

After the attack the men made off in the direction of Derwent Street.

The first man is described as a white male, around 6ft 1ins tall, of heavy build with short, brown hair and aged between 26 and 34 years old. He was wearing a brown Adidas tracksuit top and New Balance trainers and was riding a black pedal bike.

The second man is described as a white male, 5 ft 9ins tall and about 38 years old. He was of thin build with mousey brown hair, stubble and a moustache and he possibly walked with a limp. He was wearing a black jumper and grey Nike tracksuit bottoms and was riding an orange frame mountain bike.

The third man is described as a white male, around 6ft 3ins tall, of scruffy appearance with fair, medium length hair and aged around 35 years old and the fourth man was white about 5 ft 6ins tall, of scruffy appearance with short, black hair. He is thought to be about 31 years old and was wearing black clothing.

The victim suffered swelling and a cut to his eye and ear and he was treated at the One Life Centre in Hartlepool.

Any witnesses or anyone with information are asked to call Detective Constable Simon Clark on the non-emergency number 101, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or www.crimestoppers-uk.org.