A TEENAGER was viciously attacked by a burglar who broke into his home in Dorchester.

The 16-year-old boy disturbed the thief as he rifled through family possessions in the house on Bridport Road, near to the junction with Gloucester Road.

The burglar punched the teen several times in the face and head before fleeing.

Detective Constable Neil Gilbraith, of Dorset Police’s county division CID, said: “The teenager heard noises from upstairs as he went into the house and so he went upstairs to find a man putting items into a bag.

“The burglar punched the boy several times to the head and face, enabling him to escape into Bridport Road carrying a brown holdall containing jewellery and a laptop computer that had all been stolen from a bedroom.”

“The boy sustained a black eye as well as bruising and grazing to his head and face and received treatment at the local hospital.”

The man police are looking for is white, 30 to 40 years old, 5ft 6ins to 5ft 9ins tall and of broad build. He was wearing a black coloured knitted ‘beanie’ hat and dark clothing.

DC Gilbraith added: “I am appealing for information to find this violent burglar and I’d like to hear from anyone who knows the man responsible or who recognises him from the description.

“I’d also like to hear from anyone who was in Bridport Road near Gloucester Road at around 4.30pm on Saturday, February 13 and who saw a man either acting suspiciously or maybe even running along carrying a brown holdall.

“An incident of this nature is most unusual for Dorchester and it’s very important that I find this man so that he can be held responsible for his actions.”

People in Dorchester spoke of their horror at the attack and burglary.

Mayor Susie Hosford said: “It is horrible and shocking. It is everyone’s worst nightmare to find someone in their home or to come back and catch them in the act.

“It is very shocking, and very upsetting and unsettling for the boy and his family. This is very unusual for Dorchester.”

She added: “I feel terribly sad for the boy and his family.”

District councillor David Barrett, of Dorchester West ward, said: “I am horrified to hear about it.

“It’s unusual to hear of anything like this happening in Dorchester.

“We need to look at the law surrounding burglaries again.”

Town and district councillor Mollie Rennie urged householders to remain vigilant.

She said: “Dorchester is a safe place but we keep hearing about things like this.”

Witnesses and anyone with information should call Dorset Police in confidence on 01305 222222 or the anonymous Crimestoppers line on 0800 555111.