A TEENAGER who was the victim of an unprovoked attack almost died when he stumbled on to ornamental railings and impaled his chin on a spike.

The spike just missed 17-year-old Stephen Ainsley's windpipe and a major artery in his neck.

Stephen said: "A fraction either way and doctors at Middlesbrough General Hospital said I would have been a goner."

He had been socialising with friends at Skelton, on December 23, when he accepted a lift to Brotton with three young men who dropped him off near the Green Tree pub.

A Cleveland Police spokeswoman said: "It is believed from witness accounts that Stephen was assaulted by one of the men while the other two stood by and watched. They then drove off leaving Stephen in a disorientated state."

It was then Stephen was seen to stumble and fall on to a gate. He later discovered his mobile telephone, jewellery and cash had been stolen.

Stephen's suspected attacker is white, 6ft, aged about 20 and may have been wearing a beige jumper. The three men drove off in a blue F-registered car, possibly a VW. Anyone with information is asked to call (01642) 306627.