A teenager has had to undergo tests for HIV after an assault on Sunday which left the victim with three puncture marks to her stomach.

The 15-year-old girl, who did not want to be named, was walking to her uncle’s house in Stevenage with her two younger cousins when a man stepped in front of the girl and punched her in the stomach.

The girl then ran on to her uncle’s house, where she realised she had sustained three puncture wounds to her stomach.

She has since had undergone a series of blood tests, including HIV.

The attack took place between 5-5.30pm in High Street, near to The Thomas Alleyne Academy. The attacker is described by police as being in his 20s, wearing black jeans and a long brown coat at the time.

The girl’s father Ash Rehman described the wounds as “needle-like”.

He said: “I’ve lived in Stevenage all my life and I could never have imagined something like this happening. You hear these kinds of stories but you never imagine it happening to someone you care about.

“I think it’s important people know this man is still out there. It’s just so shocking. God forbid that this should happen to anyone else.”

Anyone with information is asked to call police on non-emergency number 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.