A YOUTUBE comedian and actor from St Helens suffered a broken jaw after being attacked in Portsmouth.

Lewis Hancox, 30, attended the Portsmouth Pride event when he and a woman friend were assaulted by a group of five men.

Lewis was punched and kicked on the floor during the attack, which took place at around 10pm on Saturday, June 22 on Delamere Road, Portsmouth.

After the woman was reportedly punched and spat on, Lewis says he stepped in to help her which led to the sustained attack on him.

Lewis has had to have his jaw wired shut and has undergone an operation to fit a metal plate for life.

Lewis, who grew up in St Helens, is known for his YouTube channel MrLewzer and in 2011 appeared in Channel 4 documentary-style reality series My Transsexual Summer.

St Helens Star:

Lewis shared pictures on his Facebook page

In a statement on his Facebook page, Lewis wrote: "Two weeks ago on Portsmouth Pride weekend, me and my female friend got attacked by a group of five random lads, age early 20s I would say.

"They punched and spat at her and when I stepped in to help they went to town on me, had me on the floor punching and kicking me. They’ve bruised her all over and badly broken my jaw.

"I’ve had it wired shut and just had an operation to fit a metal plate that will stay for life.

"There was no CCTV and the police are on the case but nobody knows who these cretins are.

"It happened on Delamere Road just behind Albert Road in Southsea, Saturday, June 22 at around 10pm."

He added: "This has properly affected my life to be honest and we are determined to find out who did it!"

Police in Portsmouth have issued an appeal for witnesses following the attack.

A statement from Hampshire Police said: "We are appealing for witnesses after a man and a woman were assaulted by a group of five men on Francis Avenue at 11pm on Saturday, June 22.

"The man aged 30, suffered a fractured jaw and the woman, aged 26 received cuts and bruises to her face and body.

"The group of men are described as white and aged in their 20s and the attack happened near the junction of Delamere Road.

"We would like to hear from anyone who witnessed this assault or was in the area at the time and saw a group of men.

"If you have any information, please contact us on 101, quoting reference number 44190216945."