POLICE are appealing for witnesses after a man was attacked after attempting to stop an altercation between another man and young girl in Redcar.

The assault happened sometime between 10.30pm and 11.30pm last night (Tuesday, July 15) on the coast road between Marske and Redcar, opposite the junction with Salisbury Grove.

The young girl is described as being 16-years-old, 5ft 5ins tall, of slight build with long brown hair and a tanned complexion and was wearing a light coloured hooded with a longer top underneath down to the knee and leggings.

While the man who was embroiled in an altercation with her is described as about 40-years-old and of Asian/Turkish appearance, 5ft 11ins tall and overweight. He had black slicked back hair and appeared to have unkempt facial hair. He was wearing a dark coloured hooded top, blue tracksuit trousers with red striping diagonally on the outside of the leg with white trainers.

The young girl managed to escape and run off in the direction of the Stray Cafe after the 23-year-old man intervened.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Cleveland Police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800-555-111.