A 22-YEAR-OLD is being treated in hospital after being brutally robbed by two men as he walked home in Winton.

The man suffered a suspected fracture to his left cheek between 2.30am and 3am yesterday morning in Bournemouth.

An investigation is now underway to capture the men responsible and the detective in charge described the attack as “cowardly”.

The robbery took place along Latimer Road in Winton and blood stains could be seen on a wall and in a garden.

A spokesman for Dorset Police said the victim, from Bournemouth, was walking home when he was confronted by two men and knocked to the ground. They stole his mobile phone, wallet and cash.

The victim also received cuts and bruises to his head and face and remains in hospital.

Police say house-to-house inquiries have been carried out in the area and inquiries are ongoing.

DC Steve Griffin of Bournemouth and Poole CID said: “This was a cowardly attack and I would like to hear from anyone with information or who saw any suspicious activity in that area.”

Gary Jacobs, 42, a maintenance fitter, told the Echo: “My dog woke me up by barking around 3.30am and I heard a motorbike floating around.

“I took the dog for a walk and the police had taped off the front garden of a house.

“They said somebody had been beaten up and his possessions stolen and he was in hospital.”

Tony Goldberg, 68, a retired car dealer, said: “I went out around 10.15am and there was a scenes of crime van and they were marking things on the floor and taking pictures.”

The homeowner whose garden was cordoned off, aged 63, said: “I slept right through it.”

Neighbour Cheryl Ware, 40, said: “I heard two guys talking, they were quite loud.

“Later I heard what sounded like someone going through the bins.

“Then it went quiet – and a moped turned up.”

Witnesses should call 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.