A MAN suffered life-changing injuries after being kicked over by a teenager as he left a Wimborne pub.

The victim, who is in his 40s, had left the Cricketers Arms in Park Lane and was walking towards Crown Mead when he was approached by a group of men in their late teens near Wimborne Library.

It is believed that one of the group, who was wearing a red jacket, pushed the victim from behind and kicked him in the chest.

He fell over and hit his head on the ground.

A stranger helped him to his feet before he continued on his way home.

The attack happened sometime between 11.30pm and midnight on Saturday, January 21.

On the evening of Sunday, January 22, the man began to feel unwell and went to hospital.

It was discovered that he had sustained a fractured skull and a bleed on the brain.

The assault was reported to police on Monday, January 23.

Detective Constable Laura McQueen, of Bournemouth CID, said: "This was an unprovoked attack on a man, who was making his way home after an evening out, that has left the victim with serious life-changing injuries.

"We are making a number of enquiries to identify the offender and I would ask that anyone who may have witnessed the incident or has information about the person responsible to come forward.

“I am also appealing directly to the person responsible or his friends to do the right thing and contact police.”

The man's injuries are not believed to be life-threatening.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Dorset Police via dorset.police.uk or by calling 101, quoting occurrence number 55170011371.