A MAN was treated in hospital after being punched so hard his jaw was broken and his gum was detached from the roof of his mouth.

The 39-year-old also lost four teeth after being assaulted as he walked home with his partner and a friend from a night at the Talking Heads pub.

As they got to Kent Road at its junction with Portswood Road in St Denys in the early hours of Saturday, they were approached by a group of five men who they described as clearly in drink.

The police say an altercation then unfolded and the victim was punched by a white man.

The victim was taken to Southampton General Hospital. He told police he believes that the gang, who included a black and an Asian youth, had also tried but failed to gain entry into the Talking Heads earlier in the evening.

Detectives are urging anyone who saw the group of five, aged 16-22, to come forward.