A teenager who fought off a stranger has been taken to hospital for treatment.

The woman, who is in her late teens, was twice punched in the face after a stranger followed her as she made her way home in Maidstone.

Officers are now trying to find the attacker, who fled the scene.

The victim was walking home just after 1am this morning when she noticed a man she did not know at the junction of Lower Stone Street and Mote Road.

He walked past her on Upper Stone Street and turned left into Waterloo Street.

The woman continued onto Loose Road and as she reached the junction with Park Way, she was approached from behind by the same man.

He grabbed her hand and started punching the woman in the face.

She fell to the floor, where she was punched again until she screamed and fought the offender off.

He then ran off along Park Way. The woman was taken to a local hospital with facial injuries.

The suspect is described as being Asian, with a moustache and stubble on his chin, of slim build and wearing blue jeans, a black woollen hat and headphones.

Detectives are appealing for witnesses or motorists with dashcam who were in the area at the time to contact them.

Anyone with information which may assist the investigation is asked to call 01622 604100 quoting reference 46/72607/19.

Alternatively, contact the independent charity Crimestoppers in Kent anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Read more: All the latest news from Maidstone