AN 18-year-old woman needed hospital treatment after being punched and kicked by a thug after she refused to hand over money to him.

Police are appealing for witnesses following the assault on Saturday, August 5, between 7pm and 7.40pm in Station Road, Greenhithe, near Dartford.

A police spokesman said: "The woman was walking towards the railway station when the a man approached her at the roundabout of the junction with Station Road and Eagles Road, asking her for money.

"When she refused the man grabbed her hair and swung her round throwing her into a bush. As the woman fell to the ground the man continued to kick and punch her before walking off."

The woman suffered injures to her head and wrist and was treated at Dartford's Darent Valley hospital.

The thug is described as white, aged about 25, 5ft 11in tall with fair, cropped hair. He was wearing blue tracksuit bottoms.

Police are urging anyone who witnessed this incident to contact them on 01474 565220 quoting reference 17554 or Kent Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 – calls to this number are free and you may be eligible for a reward.

A man from Greenhithe has been arrested in connection with the incident. He has been released on bail pending further enquiries.