A man who was arrested after two teenagers were robbed at knifepoint by two bandana-wearing thugs in an early-hours attack, has been released pending further inquiries.

The incident happened in Gillingham Park on just before 5am on Saturday and one victim – an 18-year-old who tried to fight off the robbers – was kicked and punched, had his head stamped on and was knocked unconscious.

Kent Police are investigating and arrested a 22-year-old man in connection with the incident on Monday.

However, this morning, officers said the man had been released pending further inquiries until Sunday, August 28 and the police investigation continues.

The offenders reportedly had their collars up and were wearing bandanas to hide their faces. They held a knife to one teenager’s neck and demanded he hand over his wallet.

The other teenager was robbed of his mobile phone, a silver necklace and his wallet containing £30 and a cash card.

He was left with severe cuts and bruises. The pair, both students, had been with others at The Tap ‘n’ Tin in Chatham.

The father of one victim, who asked not to be named, said: “These people are scum and need to be arrested. There were six of them on the night out.

"They have all recently turned 18, so it was their first night out together and they went to a student gig.

“There were four boys and two girls and after leaving at about 3.30am they decided to walk the girls home to Gillingham.

"They kicked and beat him and stamped on his face and have left a shoe print on his face" - victim's father

“They were approached by the robbers and four of them managed to run off but they caught up with my son and his friend.

The robbers held a knife to my son’s friend’s neck and he was made to hand over his wallet.

“My son fought back but they overpowered him and despite him giving them his iPhone and wallet, they ripped off his silver necklace.

"They then kicked and beat him and stamped on his face and have left a shoe print on his face.”

The father, who lives in Gravesend, added: “My son luckily doesn’t have any broken bones and was discharged from hospital later the same day.

“He has spent most of his time in bed sleeping since.

"He’s not too good and because he was knocked out, he doesn’t remember all of it.

“These people are scum and need to be arrested."

He said police told him the attackers had also tried to rob a homeless man.

"I would appeal to anyone who knows who they are to contact the police," he added.

The robbers had threatened a homeless man earlier in the park and asked him to hand over food but he had none to give them.

The dad tracked his son’s iPhone to Woodlands Cemetery, in Woodlands Road, Gillingham, but the signal went dead when the device was turned off.

Anyone with information can call 101 quoting crime reference XY/28454/16.