A KIND-HEARTED Echo reader is offering a reward in the search for attackers who punched and hurled racial abuse at a teenager.

Kenny Kirkley, 14, was attacked on the Rodwell Trail in Weymouth as he cycled home from school.

Police are appealing for witnesses to the incident near Knightsdale Road.

No arrests have been made.

After reading the story in Monday’s paper, construction worker Simon Debenham decided to try and help.

He said: “I feel so disgusted that this incident happened to this young lad and the people who did this need to be caught.

“I am offering a £200 reward to anyone with information who can help police catch and arrest these attackers.”

The 44-year-old, who is from Norwich and has two teenage children, owns JV Groundworks Ltd, a construction company currently working on Portland.

Kenny’s dad said: “This is an absolutely fantastic offer and we want to say a huge thank you to Simon.”

Speaking to the Echo last week, he said: “These thugs jumped out and knocked him off his bike.

“They were trying to pull it off him, but he was on the other side of the bike pulling back. They punched him a few times and called him all these racial names. Then they ran off.”

The youngster called the police who rushed to the scene and took him home.

It was the first time the All Saints pupil has ridden to school on his bike.

Mr Kirkley said: “He has always gone by bus but he was pestering me to be allowed to use his bike.

“I’m always a bit worried about it, especially in winter, but we went out and got a helmet and a high-visibility rucksack and flashing lights and off he went, pleased as Punch.

“He is all right now but he was in such a state of shock when it happened.”

He added: “He asked them why they were calling him those names. It was horrible.”

The incident has not put the brave pupil off cycling, although he now uses a different route to get to school.

PC Caroline Orchard, of Weymouth police, said: “The offenders are described as white, aged between 16 and 18, with one wearing a black coat with a hood and patches on it.

“It is also believed they may have been in company with a young girl either riding a pink bicycle or pushing a pink pram.”

Anyone who witnessed the incident at around 3.20pm on Wednesday, December 11, or who has information about those responsible, is asked to call Dorset Police on 101.