Gang of 20 attack youth in park

The teenager was attacked near the band stand in Stonehouse park.

Police have appealed for witnesses after a gang of about 20 youths attacked a 17-year-old boy in the village of Stonehouse, Lanarkshire.

He was assaulted near the band stand in Stonehouse park at 2150 GMT on Friday.

He managed to escape but was then set-upon by approximately 20 young men and women. He was taken to hospital with serious head injuries.

Police said if passers-by had not intervened his injuries could have been far worse.

There were no descriptions available of the group involved.

However, detectives were keen to speak to a woman who gave the victim first aid following the attack.

'Unprovoked attack'

She is believed to be a nurse but left the scene before police arrived.

Det Con Brian Scanlon of Hamilton CID said: "I would appeal to this individual and any other members of the Stonehouse community who witnessed this assault to come forward with any information.

"This would appear to be an unprovoked attack on the 17-year-old man."

The victim has since been release from Wishaw General hospital.