A MAN who was left 'shaken' after he was sprayed with pepper spray and hit on the head was hospitalised at the weekend.

At around 4pm on Sunday, January 12, a man in his sixties was assaulted by three suspects at Sainsbury's on Bishopton Road West in Stockton.

It is believed two men had approached the man before one sprayed him with pepper spray and the other hit him over the head with a metal bin lid.

The man had to be taken to the University Hospital of North Tees in Stockton for treatment to his eyes and for a cut to the head, which left him requiring stitches.

Launching an appeal for witnesses to the assault, a spokesperson for Cleveland Police said a woman had been with the two suspects at the time.

The spokesperson said: "One of the male suspects is described as being tall, above 5ft 9” tall, very thin, with a gaunt face, very few or no teeth with very dark, unkempt hair.

"A woman was with the two men, she had long, dark, curly hair and was wearing a beige top.

"One of the males was seen leaving the area on a bicycle and the trio headed off across the car park in the direction of Durham Road, towards the cemetery."

The spokesperson confirmed the victim did not suffer any permanent damage to his eyes.

Those with mobile phone footage or dash-cam footage have been asked to contact the force using the non-emergency number 101 and quote reference number 006378. 

Independent charity Crimestoppers can also be contacted anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org.