Boys arrested for GBH after man attacked in Battle

The youths, aged 13 and 14, were arrested after police were called to Market Square car park just after 5pm, following reports that a group of boys were attacking a 39-year-old man.

Emergency services arrived to find the man laying in the upper car park, conscious and breathing, but with serious bleeding from a head wound.

Kent Air Ambulance landed in the lower car park, but the man was taken to the Conquest Hospital in Hastings by land ambulance.

The injured man, who is from Battle, was kept in overnight for observation and discharged on Tuesday.

It is believed the victim and the alleged assailants were known to each other.

It is unclear at this stage how many people were involved in the incident and whether the man was attacked with any sort of weapon.

Residents reported hearing youths shouting and swearing shortly before the time of the attack.

Tim Street, 46, of Woodhams Close, said: "I definitely heard different voices, some of which were girls.

"There was a fair group of kids there."

He added: "I could hear raised voices for about 20 minutes before it went quiet.

"The only time I was aware of something after that was when I heard police and ambulance vehicles pulling up in the car park.

"I looked over the fence and saw all the services there."

Tim, who has lived in Woodhams Close since Christmas, said: "From time to time you do get a bit of noise, but there's not been anything like this."

Police have rushed to reassure residents it was not a stranger attack and quashed rumours the victim was a shopkeeper or resident who went to remonstrate with a group of youths.

Detective Inspector Ian Williams, of Sussex Police, said: "The victim was subjected to a nasty assault and we have arrested two youths for the offence, this is not considered to be a stranger attack and people should be reassured about that.

"The police inquiry is continuing and whilst the injuries required hospital treatment, it was not as serious as to require major medical intervention."

He added that the incident was "very unusual" for Battle.

Both the arrested boys, who are local to Battle, have been released on bail until November 3.

Detectives at Bexhill already have several witnesses but are asking anyone else who saw what happened to call them on 0845 60 70 999, quoting Serial 1113 of August 30.