A WOMAN suffered an epileptic fit after she was punched in the street.

Samalieshe Lavida, 35, and her 31-year-old fiance, Anthony Kemp, were surrounded by a gang of 15 youths, who hurled insults at the pair for 15 minutes.

One youth punched Miss Lavida in the head while holding a lager can, causing a deep wound and heavy bleeding.

When she fell, the youths scattered and scrambled over a nearby wall.

The incident happened near Jay's newsagents, in Birchington Avenue, Grangetown, near Middlesbrough, at 6pm on Friday.

Miss Lavida was left with epilepsy after two brain operations to remove cysts about 25 years ago.

After being free from seizures for more than a year, the assault triggered another fit.

Last night, she said she was targeted because she is a goth.

She said: "I have a friend who killed himself because of the taunting and abuse.

"Another one was hit in the head with a baseball bat, leaving him with no long-term memory - all because we are goths and look different."

Although badly shaken, Miss Lavida is determined not to let the thugs win:

She said: "I went up and looked all of them in the face and told them I was not intimidated. I have been too scared to speak out before but now I have had enough.

"I am not going to let these people intimidate me because they will carry on and do this to someone else."

The youth who attacked Miss Lavida was white, aged about 16 with blue-green eyes and shaved blond hair. He wore blue and white tracksuit bottoms and white trainers.

Anyone with information is asked to call PC Chris Stone on (01642) 302626.