A Croydon man was bottled by a teenage thug after asking him to be quiet while watching a film in a cinema.

The 36-year-old, who does not want to be identified, was ambushed outside the Vue Cinema in Hesterman Way in the Valley Park leisure complex after watching a movie with his wife.

He said: "During the screening a young couple were being very loud in the back row and I thought they were having sex. I asked them to be quiet but they got aggressive and the security guards took them out.

"I knew the boy was waiting for me outside but I refused to be a prisoner in the cinema so I left. As soon as I got outside he threw a bottle in my face."

The man was cut under his right eye and had to be taken to hospital. He said: "The situation with teenagers has got so bad there should be a ban on them in public places if they are not with their parents."

A spokesman for Vue Cinemas confirmed the youths had been escorted from the premises: "Cinema staff and security removed the youths from the screen and the premises. Unfortunately, they remained outside the cinema, which is where the assault occurred, in spite of the customer being escorted by staff at the end of the film. We were concerned by this very rare incident because our customer's safety is a priority."

A police spokeswoman said: "Croydon CID is investigating an attack outside the cinema. At the moment we have made no arrests and inquiries are continuing."

The thug was described as being approximately 16-years-old, black, of slim build, with short corn-braided black hair. He was wearing a light coloured t-shirt, possibly dark trousers, white trainers and a long gold chain.

If you have any information contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.