Police were today hunting a thug who smashed a 15-year-old boy in the face with a metal bar - and then apologised after realising he had mistaken him for someone else.

The schoolboy, of Cedar Road, Canvey, was sitting by Canvey Lake with two girls when he was approached by two men who broke his nose with the bar and punched him twice in the face.

However, one of the men suddenly realised they had mistaken the teenager for someone else - prompting the attacker to apologise.

He even offered to give the boy his contact details if he wanted to make a complaint and to walk him home to make sure he was all right.

However, the teenager, who has asked not to be identified, declined the offer of help and rushed straight back home to his family in Cedar Road, just behind the lake. He needed stitches following the assault.

Published Friday August 16, 2002

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