A TEENAGER has suffered a fractured cheekbone when he was attacked by a would-be robber for his mobile phone.

The 15-year-old boy was walking along Church Road when he cut through an alleyway running between Church Road and Bath Lane, behind ASDA on Maritime Road, Stockton, at around 5.30pm yesterday (Sunday, February 16).

He was on the phone when he heard quick steps behind him, as he turned around he was hit to the face, which knocked him to the floor. The victim was kicked whilst the suspect demanded his iPhone. The victim refused to hand it over and the suspect attempted to grab it from his hands.

The would-be robber, who eventually made off empty handed, is described as a white male, aged in his thirties, around 6ft tall, of stocky build with stubble and wrinkles around his eyes. He wore a black tracksuit top with the hood up.

The victim attended hospital where an X-ray revealed a fractured cheekbone.

Anyone with information regarding the incident is asked to contact Acting Detective Sergeant (CORR) Olly Flight on 101 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800-555-111.