A 14-year-old boy has been arrested after a shop owner was attacked and left unconscious.

Nimal Ramachandran, who owns East Street News in Sittingbourne, said he was assaulted by a gang of youths who had stolen from his shop.

It happened after around six to eight teenagers went into the shop at about 5.30pm on Monday.

Nimal's brother Nish, said: "A staff member was in the shop and these boys were just hanging around, so they called my brother.

"By the time he got there, they had stolen things and started to run away.

"He went to grab the items from them and he was assaulted.

"He was attacked from every angle possible. He was badly hit on the back and knocked to the floor, then they carried on attacking him."

The 43-year-old added: “Someone called the police and when they arrived, my brother was unconscious.

"He was examined by an ambulance crew and then they took him to Medway hospital. They were concerned about his injuries to his head."

After a full check up, Nimal, 39, was discharged from hospital in the early hours of Tuesday.

Nish said: "This is not a one-off. Teenagers are attacking shops all over Sittingbourne. Gangs are ruining people's lives and livelihoods."

The attack on East Street News comes just weeks after three masked men stormed into St John's Mini Market in Sittingbourne with a large blade and dragged a staff member to the floor before stealing more than £4,000 of goods.

Police are now appealing for information about the assault.

A spokesman said: "Kent Police is investigating a report that a man was assaulted by a group of young people in East Street, Sittingbourne, at around 5.30pm on Monday, February 22.

"No serious injuries were sustained, however the victim was taken to hospital as a precaution.

"A 14-year-old boy from Sittingbourne was arrested in connection with the incident. He has since been released on bail, pending further enquiries, until Wednesday, March 10.

"Enquiries to identify anyone else involved in the incident are ongoing."

Anyone with information should call police on 101 and quote the reference 22-1127

Read more: All the latest news from Sittingbourne