A woman suffered serious facial injuries after being repeatedly punched inside a car by a driver who later crashed into a bollard and fled the scene.

The incident was reported near a pub in Leysdown-on-Sea, on Sheppey at around 9pm on Sunday, February 4.

The victim, who is in her 40s, was a front seat passenger in a white Peugeot 308 when it is alleged the man driving the vehicle stopped and assaulted her in Leysdown Road.

He then drove for a short distance before crashing the car into a bollard and a fence.

The suspect left the scene before the arrival of patrols and the victim later went to hospital for medical attention to serious facial injuries.

The next day, a 54-year-old local man was arrested in connection with the incident. He was later released on bail pending further investigation.

Police are now appealing for witnesses and those with dashcam footage.

“There were a number of people in Leysdown Road and standing outside a public house who may have witnessed the incident...”

PC Lydia Edwards, of Kent Police’s vulnerability investigation team, said: “It is understood there were a number of people in Leysdown Road and standing outside a public house who may have witnessed the incident.

“We are appealing to anyone with information that may assist the investigation to contact our appeal line. Drivers with dashcam and residents with private CCTV are also asked to check for relevant footage.”

Anyone with information should call 01795 419119, quoting reference 46/19595/24.

You can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111, or by using the online form on its website.