VIGILANTES took the law into their own hands when they came across a teenager near their burgled car.

Thinking the 18-year-old St Albans man had broken into their vehicle, they attacked him.

But the man was only an innocent bystander. The assault left him with two broken teeth and he needed 14 stitches to his lips.

The incident happened at 2am on Wednesday, August 12, in Beechwood Avenue, St Albans.

The victim was walking home from a friend's house when he was stopped by the two men and asked where he was going and what he was doing.

Their car, a white D-registration vehicle believed to be a Vauxhall Cavalier or Belmont, had just been broken into and the men were on the lookout for the potential thieves.

Suddenly, the teenager was punched and butted by the two men.

The first man, the driver of the car, is described as white, aged 25 to 30, of stocky build, with a shaven head and a cut to his forehead.

The second attacker was also white, aged 25 to 30, stocky, with long, wavy dark hair and a centre parting.

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call St Albans police station on 01727 796000.

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