A FURIOUS Melksham mother has called for the mindless thugs who attacked her son on his 18th birthday to be brought to justice.

The 37-year-old mum, who lives on the Forest estate, blasted the young hooligans who left her son with a broken jaw in two places.

The teenager was out in Melksham town centre celebrating his 18th birthday when he was attacked close to Buds Bar in the early hours of Friday morning.

His friends found him slumped on a bench outside the popular bar in a semi-conscious state, unable to remember the details of the attack.

He was taken to the Royal United Hospital, Bath the next morning, where the full extent of his injuries was discovered.

Surgeons operated on Saturday and spent several hours fitting steel plates to the apprentice bricklayer's jaw.

His mother said: "He can't really remember anything. It is a bit of a blur.

"We had been out for a meal for his birthday and then he went out with friends. I can't believe what happened to him.

"It is hard to understand the attitude of young people these days. It was his birthday and it was completely ruined. He was unable to go out for a meal with his dad on Friday night.

"He has been in a lot of pain and is unable to eat solid food at the moment.

"The next three weeks are critical as it's easy to break the jaw again.

"It's lucky his friends found him outside Buds. I think they thought he was drunk to begin with and didn't realise how injured he was.

"I think it is important the culprits are caught and given a rap on the knuckles. My son didn't really want the police to do anything but I think it is important."

Police are examining CCTV video footage as they try to catch whoever was responsible for the attack.

Officers have seized tapes from a town centre security camera for analysis.

They believe the injured teenager was punched and kicked several times by one or more attacker but are not sure of the exact location.

PC Jane Hurd said: "He was supposed to be out enjoying his birthday. He can't remember what happened to him but his injuries were bad.

"We want to catch the people responsible and hope anyone with any information on the attack will come forward."

PC Hurd can be contacted at Melksham police station on (01225) 763101.