A WOMAN suffered cuts after a group of yobs hurled a three-foot long branch through the window of a van in which she was a passenger.

Julie Hawke was in the van when the incident happened near to Marsden Park, Nelson.

It was the second similar incident in a matter of minutes near the park.

First a large rock was thrown at a car as it drove past, causing damage to the door.

Minutes later the thick branch was thrown at the windscreen, causing it to smash the windscreen and passenger window and shower the passengers with glass.

Mrs Hawke suffered a number of cuts to her arm which required hospital treatment.

She said: “We drive up and down that road thousands of times and it’s never happened before.

"It might have been a kids prank but I could have been elderly and there could have been a death, it’s mindless violence.”

The incident happened at around 9pm on Thursday, September 29.

A number of police officers attended the scene but the youths had made off.

PC David Richardson, community beat manager for Marsden and Southfield, said: “I attended the incident and found Julie with a number of cuts to her arm which was bleeding badly.

“It is believed a white man, aged about 16, is responsible.

"However, a number of youths were heard laughing and running away.

“I would urge people to come forward with any information about this incident, so that the persons responsible can be caught to ensure this never happens again.

“Julie could have been much more seriously injured had the branch come through the windscreen.”