Police are appealing to trace a member of the public who intervened when he saw a teenage boy being assaulted.

The incident took place between 3pm and 4pm on Monday, December 9 at the junction of Roman Road and Oxford Road in Middlesbrough.

The 13-year-old boy was involved in a verbal altercation with two boys, believed to be around 15-years-old, when he was repeatedly punched in the face.

A man intervened in the incident to assist him and police are hoping that he will be able to help in their investigation.

The victim did not require hospital treatment, but was left feeling very shaken.

The suspects are described as of Asian appearance and around 15 years old. One of them was wearing a grey hooded top and grey Addidas tracksuit bottoms.

Anyone with information is asked to contact PC Martin Bolton on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

FRESH START: PEOPLE are invited to start the New Year by exploring Hartlepool’s countryside and getting fitter into the bargain on a host of free guided community walks. The walks, which are run by Hartlepool Council’s Sport and Physical Activity Team under the banner of ‘Walk About In Hartlepool’, are led by qualified walk leaders and are up to four miles long. Each lasts about one to two hours. There is no need to book. For information about times and locations call 01429-284414 or email ryan.houghton@hartlepool.gov.uk

CAR DRIVER ASSAULTED: Cleveland Police are appealing for witnesses to an incident in which a 27-year-old man was assaulted in Billingham. The man was driving his vehicle on the A1027 towards Billingham, near to Wolviston Road, at around 5.30pm on Friday, December 13 when a grey Audi A4 stopped in front of him and a blonde woman got out of the vehicle and approached his car before a verbal altercation ensued. A man then approached the victim’s vehicle from behind and punched him twice in the face, causing swelling, bruising and a suspected broken nose. The road was busy at the time and it is believed that a number of vehicles had to stop. Anyone with information regarding the incident is asked to contact PC Jonathan Collins on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.