A COUPLE from Spain suffered a prolonged "sickening and vicious" violent attack in York, which left a tourist with a broken jaw.

The couple had been out in the city and were walking in New Street at just after 3.30am on Sunday, when they were attacked by a gang of five men who punched and kicked the man while repeatedly pushing his girlfriend to the ground.

The 24-year-old male victim suffered a broken jaw, chipped teeth and bruising in the attack - which lasted for more than ten minutes - and was taken to York Hospital for emergency treatment following the assault.

A North Yorkshire Police spokesman said the attackers appeared to have targeted the couple simply because they were from another country, and the attack only stopped when a passing taxi driver stopped to assist the man and his 29-year-old girlfriend.

PC Sophie Wilson, of the York Safer Neighbourhood Team, said: "This is a very disturbing incident which will quite rightly shock the local community in York and those who regard the city as a friendly and safe place to visit.

"We are doing everything we can investigate this case and bring those responsible to justice. We are also providing support to the young couple from Spain who have had their stay tarnished in the most sickening and vicious way."

The prolonged attack took place in New Street, Coney Street and St Helen's Square, and the suspects were described as white, aged between 20 and 25, all with short or shaved hair. One of the suspects was about 5ft 7ins tall, with short or shaved brown hair and was wearing a short-sleeved light-coloured t-shirt and trousers.

PC Wilson urged anyone who saw the incident to contact the police, and said she wanted to speak to the taxi driver who came to the couple's aid.

She said: "The victims are extremely grateful to the taxi driver for having the decency to stop and help when they were in a very frightening situation.

"I am appealing for the taxi driver to get in touch as soon as possible as he may have vital information about the suspects and the circumstances surrounding the incident."

Anyone with information should phone North Yorkshire Police on 101, email sophie.wilson@northyorkshire.pnn.police.uk or contact Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111 or at crimestoppers-uk.org