A SOCK full of snooker balls was used to smash the jaw of an 18 year old boy while a second attacker hit him on the back of the head with part of a cue.

The attack, which happened on Market Street, Preston at 3.15pm on Saturday, June 29 left the boy with a broken jaw.

His attackers were both male, white, in their early 20s, of stocky build and wearing jeans and black baseball caps. One had a self-inflicted tattoo of 'Mam' on his knuckles.

Police are linking two indecent assaults on women walking along secluded paths in Penwortham. On both occasions the offender had a bike and laughed as he left his victim.

The first happened at 4pm on May 30 on Hurst Grange Hill Road. The attacker had a red/maroon bike, was white, about 40 years old, 5ft 8ins tall, with a pale complexion, thick, wavy dark hair worn combed back. He wore a white shirt.

The second assault happened at 2.40pm on Tuesday, July 16 on Factory Lane. The offender had a traditional style cycle - possibly silver - and was in his late 40s, about 6ft tall, stocky, with thick, straight black hair in a side parting. He wore black rimmed sunglasses and light coloured casual clothes. A large amount of golf equipment was stolen from Ingol Golf Club on Tanterton Hall Road between 9pm and 10pm on July 9.

The stolen property included a Cerzasc purple golf bag, House and Pasoners 13 clubs, 13 Cavers for golf clubs, golf balls, a navy Lakes waterproof suit and a golf trolley.

An elderly woman's handbag was stolen from her home in Ribbleton Avenue, Preston while she was in the garden at 3pm on Sunday, July 14. The suspect is male, white, about 20 years old, slim with black, medium length hair, wearing a black Umbro jacket and trainers.

A thief sneaked into a house on Broadgate, Preston, through an unlocked door between 6.30pm-7pm on Tuesday, July 9. He made off with a purse containing bank cards, store cards, cash and personal papers.

The suspect was male, white, about 20 years old, 5ft 10ins tall, had cropped dark hair, a moustache, blue eyes and a pale complexion. He wore blue jeans, a turquoise fleecy top with a white motif and he spoke with a local accent.

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