A VULNERABLE man was beaten to the ground and kicked in the head by two teenagers who robbed him of his bag as he walked home after an evening with friends.

The 44-year-old man, who does not want to be named, was walking along Stokesay Drive, in Toothill, at around 1am on Friday, April 26, when the two men, thought to be aged 18 or 19, struck.

The victim, understood to be in ill-health, was punched and kicked to the floor and had his holdall taken.

The two attackers, both described as white, levelled more kicks at the man as he lay on the pavement and then were then joined by two other men before they all ran off near the junction of Stokesay Drive and Idovers Drive.

The victim suffered injuries to his face and body and was taken to Great Western Hospital, where he stayed for three days to be treated.

Detective Constable Rachel Hardy, of Swindon Priority Crime Team, said the victim is still badly shaken and urged the culprits to give themselves up.

“This was a violent and unprovoked attack,” she said.

“He has a nasty head injury and any injury where someone has to spend three days in hospital has to be very serious. He is vulnerable and this has set him back.

“Any incident where someone is robbed is very frightening for the victim. The people who did this are cowards and have attacked a vulnerable person who could not fight back. The degree of violence in this incident was wholly unnecessary if the motive was to rob him.

“There was nothing of great monetary value in the bag, and they took the whole bag without knowing what the contents were.

“Then they have continued to attack him, having stolen it.

“Maybe someone can search their conscience in relation to what they have done.”

Anyone with any information should contact the Priority Crime Team at Swindon Gablecross Police Station on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.