A MAN had his jaw broken in three places when he was struck during a vicious attack in a Southampton park.

Graham Licence, an office administrator at the Norwich Union Building Society in Chandler's Ford, was with his girlfriend when he was smashed in the face.

He spent four days in Southampton General Hospital after surgeons wired his jaw together.

The couple were sitting on a bench in Houndwell Park after a night out when they were approached by a gang of four men and a woman.

The gang began taunting Mr Licence and his girlfriend and words were exchanged before one of the men punched Mr Licence in the face.

Mr Licence, 23, of Craven Walk, Southampton, said: "We were just sitting on the bench having a cuddle when these kids came along and started making comments.

"We told them to go away but one of them came over and made a few more remarks. The next thing I felt was a whack on the side of the face."

The injuries have forced Mr Licence to take three weeks off work.

He added: "My girlfriend was absolutely devastated by the attack. I don't even know if it was a punch. There was some work being done on a bus shelter nearby and the guy could have picked up something and hit me with it."

Detectives are appealing for witnesses to the unprovoked assault.

Police have also released stills from security camera at the nearby Chicago Rock Cafe of five people they would like to speak to in connection with the attack which took place at about 11.30pm on Friday, April 2.

Anyone with information should call Detective Constable Adrian Geary at Shirley CID on 0845 045 4545 or the anonymous Crimestoppers line on 0800 555111.