A MAN’S nose and eye socket were broken when he was punched in the face in a vicious attack in Bournemouth town centre.

The 21-year-old victim was treated at Poole Hospital after the incident, which happened at the junction of Fir Vale Road and St Peter’s Road at about 3.50 in the morning on June 30. Details have only just been released by Dorset Police.

Detective Constable Martha Brehmer, of Bournemouth CID, said the victim and two friends were walking along Fir Vale Road when one thought he recognised a lone man about 20 metres in front of them and called out.

“This man turned around and began to shout. He then walked straight up to the victim and punched him on the nose.”

The attacker is described as white with short dark hair and a tan, about 5ft 11in, and skinny. He is in his late teens or early twenties, had bad teeth and spoke with a London accent. He was wearing an orange logo T-shirt and baggy jeans.

After he struck the victim, the attacker was joined by about half a dozen other men, most of them black. They all ran off towards Old Christchurch Road.

DC Brehmer described the attack as “despicable” and asked anyone with information to ring the police on 01202 222222 or the anonymous Crimestoppers line on 0800 555 111.