A YOUNG boy was assaulted by a grown man in a Southampton park.

The ten-year-old was playing with friends in Riverside Park, Bitterne, when the man rode past on his bicycle.

The cyclist dismounted after mistakenly thinking the boy - who was shouting to his friends - was aiming the comments at him.

He grabbed and pinned the youngster to the ground, before shouting at him and riding off again.

The shaken boy suffered bruising but did not require medical treatment His attacker is white, in his 30s, 6ft tall, clean shaven, of average to large build and spoke with a local accent.

He wore a black cycle helmet with a luminous green flat hat underneath, plus luminous green gloves, a black jacket, trousers and rucksack.

He sported a white front light and green rear light on his bike.

PC Dale Douglas said: “The area was quite busy at the time and we feel certain that there are more witnesses to speak to.”

Anyone who witnessed the attack between 5.30-6pm on Tuesday, June 3, should contact police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.