THE mother of a schoolboy who was the apparent victim of "snowball rage" today appealed for the public's help to catch the offender who attacked her son.

Karl Beaumont, 16, a pupil at Darwen Moorland High School, was attacked as he was having a snowball fight with two friends near Blackburn Infirmary.

His mum, Evelyn, of Pilmuir Road, Blackburn, said a passenger got out of a car, accused Karl of throwing a snowball at the vehicle and then punched him twice in the face and head.

The man got back into the car which was driven away by a second male.

Mrs Beaumont, 41, said her son suffered cuts to his lips and face and was in danger of losing his two front teeth which had been badly damaged in the incident.

She said: "Karl was larking about in the snow with two of his friends on a patch of grass near the casualty department.

"Suddenly, a car stopped and a man who was a front seat passenger got out and accused my son of throwing a snowball at the car.

"Karl had no idea what he was talking about because his back had been to the car.

"Then the man just punched him in the face.

"While Karl had his head in his hands, he was punched again on the ear and side of the face.

"His two front teeth were bent right back and our dentist has told us that he may lose them.

"I suppose you could say was a case of snowball rage, but my son was an innocent victim.

"I hope anybody who saw what happened comes forward to help."

Police are investigating the incident which happened at 11.15pm on Sunday.

Anybody with information should call Blackburn Police on 01254 51212.

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