A HOMELESS man had juice thrown over him during a tirade of abuse by yobs in Basildon.

Essex Police are investigating after reports a gang of youths assaulting a man in Town Square at about 4.30pm on Monday.

Residents on social media reported seeing the group of boys and girls shouting abuse at the man, before one boy tipped a full two litre bottle of juice all over him.

Police were called to the scene, outside Shoezone, to investigate and ensure the man had not been injured.

He was reported to have been left shaken but had not suffered any serious injuries.

Images of the boy who allegedly threw the juice over the man have been widely circulated on social media.

A spokesman for Essex Police said: “We were called around 4.30pm on Monday 22 April, with reports that a boy had assaulted a man in Town Square, Basildon.

“Witnesses reported that the boy, who was part of a group, then left in the direction of East Walk.

“The man was not seriously injured.

“Enquiries are ongoing.”

The attack was the second incident involving yobs in just over a week in Town Square.

On April 13, a shop worker was attacked by youths outside a store, requiring nine stitches in his lip, after a group began harassing his customers.

Residents took to social media to blast the yobs.

One said: “From what I’ve read in the local news recently visiting Basildon town centre is becoming a very unpleasant experience in the afternoon if not other times of the day.

“There is trouble from groups of yobs intent on making people’s lives a misery and intent on causing as much trouble as possible.”

Police are appealing for witnesses of the assault.

Anyone who has any information should contact Basildon’s local policing team on 101, quoting crime reference number 42/62850/19.

People can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 while information can also be given online at crimestoppers-uk.org.