A YOUNG couple were kicked, punched and stamped on just hours into the New Year in a Gravesend car park.

Police say a 21-year-old man and his 20-year-old partner were in their black Ford Ka in Lord Street car park when three white men attacked them at 4am.

The offenders punched and kicked the man and punched his girlfriend, stamping on her hand as she shielded her boyfriend from being seriously injured.

Two male passers-by eventually stepped in to help the couple and the victims were able to drive off.

It is thought the three offenders also attacked another couple in Parrock Street on the same night, which saw two people go to hospital for treatment.

However, the second couple are yet to report the assault to police.

Officers are keen to speak with the two Samaritans who intervened during the attack.

One of the men is described as a white man, approximately 25-years-old, wearing dark coloured trousers and a black-sleeved check shirt.

All three attackers are described as white, with Gravesend accents.

The first was blond with a slim build, thought to be wearing a black jumper and beige trousers.

The second was wearing maroon-coloured shoes and the third was wearing an aqua blue sweatshirt and light-coloured trousers.

Police Constable Stephen Ikebuwa said: “This was a nasty and unprovoked assault on a young couple and resulted in serious injuries – but the injuries would have been much worse if it wasn’t for the timely intervention of these two men.

“We are appealing for witnesses in relation to the assault in Lord Street car park and would especially like to speak with the males who intervened.

We would also urge the couple that were assaulted in Parrock Street to contact police.”

Anybody with any information is asked to call 101, quoting crime reference XY/0016/13, or Kent Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.