A MAN sustained a fractured jaw after an alleged assault in Taunton.
The victim, a 20 year-old man was walking through Victoria Park with two 18-year-old women at around 5pm on Friday (May 26) when he was approached by a large group of young people.
The group were then racially abusive to the two women before allegedly repeatedly punching the man in the face.
Officers arrested two 16-year-old boys in connection with the incident.
They have both since been released under investigation.
Avon and Somerset Police is now appealing for witnesses.
DS Mark Probert said: “This was a violent and disturbing attack in which the victim and his friends were threatened and intimidated by a large group of people.
“The victim was standing up for the two young women who had been racially abused and as a result he suffered a significant facial injury.
“There can never be any excuse for hate crime or violence in any shape or form and this criminality will not be tolerated.
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“As part of our investigation we’re keen to talk to anyone who was in the park and witnessed the incident or may have mobile phone footage of the incident.”
Avon and Somerset Police said four other people were also arrested in the park shortly after the incident for disorder and said they are currently investigating any links between the two incidents.
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