A TEENAGER going home in the early hours of the morning after a night out was set on by a gang of violent thugs.

The 19-year old was walking down an alleyway between Knowsley Road and Silkstone Street at about 2.50am on Sunday, Oct 12 when he saw the four-strong gang heading towards him.

At first they passed by him but then without warning, one grabbed him from behind and head-butted him. The youths then knocked him to the ground and searched through his pockets before escaping with his wrist watch.

The victim, who sustained bruising all over his body, could only describe one of his attackers who was white, also aged about 19, 5ft 2ins and stocky. He had dark hair which was parted in the middle.

POLICE are appealing for witnesses to contact DC Andy Johnston at St Helens CID on 0151 777 6064 or ring Crimestoppers hot-line on 0800 555 111.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.