A DOG walker has been left with three plates in his jaw after being targeted by a gang wearing Halloween masks.

Mark Sandford was stood at the junction of Thornhill Park Road and Hinkler Road, in Thornhill, when the group approached him between 4.45pm and 5.15pm on Saturday October 28.

One of the men in the group, which was made up of three men and one woman, then began terrorising the John Lewis employee's golden retriever Luna.

Mr Sandford, 23, was then punched in the face, leaving him with a broken jaw and chipped teeth.

His wife, Joanna Sandford called the incident "disgusting".

She said: "How can something like this happen in broad daylight? I am utterly astounded someone would do this. This behaviour is not acceptable at any time of the day but you really do not expect this to happen in the afternoon down a busy road.

"I can't believe what has happened."

Mrs Sandford said as a result of the attack her husband, who works as an estimator on the carpet and flooring department of the Southampton store, has had three metal plates inserted into his jaw.

He also lost four teeth and had two hour surgery.

Police have issued descriptions of the gang.

He was wearing a pale red t-shirt with a pattern on it, jeans and either having his face painted like a skull or wearing a skull mask.

It has been reported the group of men all had their faces painted or were wearing skull masks.

The woman in the group was seen to be wearing a white top with red marks and black trousers.

PC Sarah Miller, from the Western Investigation Team, added: “This attack happened in broad daylight on a busy road.

"There were a lot of cars passing by the area and due to the group’s distinctive appearances and behaviour it is believed that they would have attracted the attention of passers-by.

“We believe the man that we are looking to trace had also approached a number of passing vehicles trying to scare drivers."

Mrs Sandford, 32, said after the assault, a member of the public driving a green Peugeot 206 asked Mr Sandford if he was ok.

She added: "We want to find her because she may be able to help us track this gang down. We also want to say thank you to her for stopping and asking after Mark."

If you have any information relating to this case, please call 101 quoting reference 44170419802, or contact Crimestoppers anonymously.