A 22-YEAR-OLD woman suffered “serious injuries” after a group of teenagers threw bottles at the horse she was riding near a North-East park.

At about 12.30pm on Tuesday, May 3, the young woman had been riding her horse along the Sustrans track, near Oakey Park, Stanley, when a group of males emerged from nearby bushes.

The teenagers, described as being between 14 and 15-years-old, then threw bottles at the horse, causing it to throw the rider onto the ground.

The woman had attempted to ride the horse away from the scene, but she was thrown to the ground again after one member of the group spooked the horse by running towards it.

A police spokesman said: “As result of this incident the rider has suffered serious injuries which will require surgery and a lengthy recovery period.”

A description of one suspect has been released by police in an attempt to trace the culprits.

He has been described as being around five foot and one inch in height, with pale skin and blond hair swept to the side.

He is believed to be 14 to 15-years-old and of skinny build.

The youngster had been wearing a light grey tracksuit top and bottoms with a white T-shirt underneath at the time of the incident.

Anyone with information on the identity of the males described can contact PC Wilcox of Stanley police by calling non-emergency number 101.