A MOTHER last night relived the moment she believed a young thug was going to kill her ten-month-old daughter.

Sarah Ali was left battered and bruised by a teenager who tried to snatch her from her pushchair.

When he failed to free her straps he launched an attack that left her mother fearing for her life.

The baby was punched repeatedly in the stomach and then in the face, leaving her cut and bruised.

The incident shocked police in Middlesbrough, who are hunting the attacker, who may have been under the influence of drink or drugs.

Yasmin Ali, 28, was walking along the town's Borough Road with Sarah, when they were approached by a teenager, who tried to snatch the baby from her pushchair.

When he failed to free her straps, he began lashing out with his fists, leaving Mrs Ali fearing for her young daughter's life.

She said: "I was just yards from home when the lad just came from nowhere.

"At first, he tried to drag Sarah out of the pushchair, but he couldn't get the straps free, that's when he started hitting her in the face.

"I couldn't see whether he had something in his hand, I really thought he was stabbing her and that my little girl was going to die."

She added: "I was screaming and yelling and trying to knock his hands away from the straps, I was hitting him but it had no effect."

After Mrs Ali raised the alarm, Sarah was taken to James Cook University Hospital, Middlesbrough, where her injuries were treated.

The attacker is described as white, thin, aged 14 to 16, with slight stubble. He was wearing a grey tracksuit with white stripes down the sleeves.

Sarah's father, Zafran, 28, said the couple's six-year-old son, Khayyam, was finding it hard to understand.

He said: "I don't know what would possess someone to attack a small baby. Our son has been really traumatised by the attack and can't understand why it happened."

Witnesses are asked to contact police on (01642) 303126.