THREE residents were set upon by teenagers as they walked home because they did not have a lighter.

The trio were attacked in Olive Road, Hove, at 7.30pm on Friday after being approached by three teenagers who asked for a lighter and then became aggressive when they could not help them.

The shocking incident left all three with injuries including a 35-year-old Hove man who received a broken jaw, missing teeth and a cut chin.

Two passers-by who stopped were also injured including a 59-year-old Peacehaven man who received head injuries.

An 18-year-old man from Hove has been arrested on suspicion of GBH with intent and possession of a class B drug and an 18-year-old Brighton man has been arrested on suspicion of GBH with intent and possession of an offensive weapon.

A 16-year-old girl from Hove was also arrested on suspicion of GBH with intent, all three have been released under investigation.

A SECAmb spokeswoman said: “Ambulance crews attended in a car and an ambulance and attended to a man in his 30s who suffered head injuries and potential fractures.”

Anyone with information should contact police online quoting serial 1376 of 28/04.