A gang of teenagers beat a man unconscious – then stamped on his head while he was out cold.

The 40-year-old victim was with a woman friend in St Mary's Place, Kemp Town, Brighton, at 11.45pm on Saturday when the youths, described by police as “two boys and a girl”, approached them and demanded they give them their money.

The gang then attacked the man and knocked him unconscious. While he was lying on the ground one of the attackers stamped on the victim's head.

The group then ran away west along St James's Street.

Officers responding to another incident were flagged down by a member of the public and arrested a 17-year-old boy and a 17-year-old girl.

A second boy managed to escape.

A 17-year-old boy from Brighton was charged with attempted robbery and assault. A 17-year-old girl from Hove was charged with attempted robbery.

Both were ordered to appear at Brighton Magistrates' Court on March 18.

Detective Constable Chris Hike said: "This was a brutal attack on the victim made even more sickening by the stamp when he was knocked out.

"He is lucky to have escaped with only cuts and bruises.

"I need to speak to anyone who saw or heard the attack or who saw the attackers running away afterwards. Please contact me if you know anything at all."

Call Sussex Police on 101.