A 17-year-old boy has appeared in court accused of attacking a teenager with a hammer.

In March police issued a public appeal to two 16-year-old boys who were assaulted on December 26 in Howard Road, South Norwood.

One of the teenagers was hit in the face with a hammer during what police termed a “vicious assault” and spent more than a month in hospital with serious head injuries, police said.

The other boy was not seriously hurt.

On May 21 the 17-year-old suspect appeared in custody at Croydon Youth Court charged with causing grievous bodily harm, as well as robbery and possession of an offensive weapon.

He was remanded in custody to appear at Croydon Youth Court at a later date.

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