A TEENAGE jogger was slashed on the face and arm as he fought off knife-wielding attackers during a terrifying robbery attempt.

Three youths demanded Kirk Davies' mobile phone, punched him to the floor and kicked him as he lay there, and used a Stanley knife on him in the attack on the canal- bank between Bettws and Malpas, Newport, on Tuesday night.

But Mr Davies, 19, fought them off - and they ran off empty-handed. Mr Davies, of Monnow Way, Bettws, said he was jogging along the canalbank at 9.30pm when the three youths approached him and one asked the time.

Mr Davies said: "I gave him the time and then he said he wanted my phone.

"I said 'there's no way in hell you're having the phone', and he slashed my face.

"I stepped back and he swung a punch at me.

"He was trying to slash my face again, so I put my arm up. That's when his mate held my arms for him to punch me.

"When I fell to the floor he gave me a few kicks.

"I managed to get one punch in, and that's when they ran off. I wish I'd just given the phone to them now, but I wasn't going to give up the phone I worked for."

Mr Davies, a youth worker, said he made his way to Newport's Royal Gwent Hospital, where he spent six hours, and received three stitches above one eye and five on his arm.

He said: "I'm not going to give up jogging, but I won't be going that route again.

"They do need more lights down there. I've met a few older people in their seventies jogging the same route, and they wouldn't have stood a chance."

PC Eddie Evans, of Bettws police, said: "We would appeal for any witnesses to come forward. We are treating this crime extremely seriously and will be going all out to find the attackers.

"One of the three youths is described as being 5ft 8in tall, of medium build, dark- skinned, and cleanly shaven, apart from a thin moustache. He was wearing a blue or black denim jacket, jeans, and suede, sandy-coloured shoes."

Anyone with information can contact PC Evans on 01633 245389.