A TEENAGER suffered a suspected fractured skull and broken jaw in an unprovoked attack at the weekend.

The 19-year-old car body repairer was walking through Hartlepool with his girlfriend and a friend when he was set upon.

David Harrison, from Hartlepool, said he was hit over the head with a heavy object, which knocked him out, before his three attackers began punching and kicking him as he lay on the floor.

He said they were walking along Marina Way, close to Church Street, at about 2.15am when they passed a man and his girlfriend arguing.

The woman was crying, so Mr Harrison's girlfriend, Gemma Slimmings, asked her if she was alright.

Seconds later, the attackers pounced.

"I was hit by her boyfriend and then two other lads came over and joined in," said Mr Harrison.

"I think I was hit with something on the back of my head - an item rather than a fist because it knocked me out straight away.

"They must have been kicking me while I was on the floor, because I have a fractured jaw and bruising to my face.

"There is a possibility my skull is fractured."

Mr Harrison said his girlfriend ran to get the police.

His friend, who was already nursing a broken chest bone after being involved in a recent car accident, escaped as soon as possible.

As a result, Mr Harrison was left to face three attackers.

He spent a night at the University Hospital of Hartlepool, and was later treated at James Cook University Hospital, Middlesbrough.

Police are investigating the incident.

Anyone with information about the attack is asked to call (01642) 302126.