Boy, 15 robbed by man in mask.

A 15-YEAR-OLD boy was taken to hospital after he was robbed by a masked man on his way to school.

The boy was cycling from the junction of St. Mary's Walk and Church Lane, in Acklam, Middlesbrough, to a footpath that leads on to Hall Drive when the incident happened between 8.20am and 8.50am on Thursday.

He was approached by a man who was wearing a ski mask and who punched him in the face, knocking him to the floor, before kicking him.

The man took a small amount of money and a mobile phone from the victim before cycling off on his bicycle.

The bike is a 21-inch frame Saracen mountain bike with 21 gears. It is black with the words 'Team Saracen' in silver on the main frame.

The man is described as 6ft-6ft 2 inches tall, between 18 and 20 years old, of stocky build and with a local accent.

He was wearing a black hooded 'Helly Hansen' rain jacket, plain black tracksuit bottoms with white sports socks over the top of the ankles, black trainers and leather gloves.

The teenager suffered grazes to his arm, a bump to his head and is said to be aching. * Anyone with information is asked to call PC Gary Naylor on 01642 303126 or contact the charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.