Two men are being hunted by police after a man was beaten so badly he had to be hospitalised.

A 29-year-old was seriously assaulted in James Street, Sheerness, at 9.30am on Wednesday.
His 32-year-old friend was also attacked as he tried to intervene.

According to police, the victim was approached by a man who sprayed something in his face and assaulted him.

He was left with a broken arm and serious cuts to his head and was taken to Medway Maritime Hospital.

His friend suffered a cut to the back of his head and was treated by paramedics at the scene.

The victim is out of hospital and making a good recovery but is still shaken by what happened.

Police said there was also a second man there and although they don’t know the extent of his involvement.

The first is white, aged about 30, of large build and wearing a beige or grey top and jeans.

The second is also white, heavily built, with short dark hair and about 5ft 10in.
He was in his late 20s to mid 30s and was wearing jeans and a dark blue top with a light coloured t-shirt underneath.

Investigating officer, DC Steve Rees, said: “The two men made off from James Street on foot via Telescope Alley and headed into Clyde Street.

“We think they got into a light coloured van in Alexandra Road and drove off towards Marine Parade.

“We believe the van had black writing on the back with the partial word 'stoke’ on it.

“This was a particularly nasty, unprovoked assault and we are keen to trace the two offenders.

“We are pursuing a number of lines of enquiry, however, we are still appealing for anyone who may have seen the assault or recognises the descriptions of the offenders or their van to contact us."

• Anyone with information can contact Sittingbourne police station on 01795 419161 or Kent Crimestoppers in confidence on 0800 555111.