A MOTHER was punched and stamped on when she tried to prevent men from attacking her son.

The assault happened when three men were seen arguing in the street at about 7.50pm last Friday (June 26).

Shortly afterwards a black Volkswagen Toureg parked in the road, Robertson Street in Hastings, and a fourth man got out and joined the trio who were arguing.

Two of the men then assaulted the other pair. When one of the victims' mothers intervened, one of the attackers punched her in the head and then stamped on her back when she fell to the ground.

The 45-year-old woman suffered broken ribs. The other men suffered only minor injuries.

Sergeant Kerry Banks said: "A number of people saw the attack on both the man and the woman and I am trying to trace as many of them as possible.

"The assault on the woman was particularly vicious and I would urge anyone who knows anything at all to contact us."

A 28-year-old man from Hastings has been arrested and questioned on suspicion of assault and affray before being released on bail until August 28.

Anyone with information should call 101 quoting serial 1509 of June 26, call 101 or contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.