A teenager injured by a mystery attacker who smashed a glass on his head in the street claimed he was left by police to find his own way home.

Ashley Walker, 17, was assaulted as he was walking along Queens Park Road, Brighton, from St Lukes swimming pool where he works as a lifeguard.

He said: I had just finished work and was walking along when someone ran past me and smashed a glass on my head.

I dont know who it was because they did a runner and I had my face in my hands because I was gushing with blood.

The attack took place at 9.50pm on Friday and two passers-by called an ambulance which arrived with a police van and police car.

Mr Walker, of Rotherfield Crescent, Hollingbury, said: There were about ten police officers milling around but not one of them asked me anything.

The ambulance people sorted me out and I didnt feel up to walking home so I asked them if I could have a lift but they said they werent allowed to. I thought the police would take me home but they had all disappeared.

Mr Walker had to call a taxi to take him to his girlfriends house in Hollingdean.

He said: There were so many police one minute and they were gone the next.

A police officer rang me a bit later on and asked me a few questions and said he might take a statement later in the week and that was it.

Mr Walker has bruises and cuts on his face and head.

He said: Its not nice to know the police can just turn up and then leave you when youve been attacked without even finding out what had happened.

If it had been a girl that had been attacked and then left to get home on her own it wouldnt have looked good.

He said he thought all crimes should be handled in the same way, whoever was involved.

He said: People think that all 17-year-olds are hooligans but Im not.

Sussex police confirmed they did attend an incident of a young male being attacked with a glass or bottle on Friday night but could not give any further details.