A-level student, 17, fighting for life after street beating

A promising A-level student was fighting for his life today after he was attacked and beaten in the street last week.

Grammar schoolboy Sam Eastwell, 17, is in hospital with serious head injuries after a mob apparently set upon him outside the town mayor's office in Ramsgate, Kent.

He is being treated at a London hospital, where his condition is described as serious but stable.

His mother Sharon Eastwell said: "He is a hard-working, sporty and very outgoing teenager who has aspirations to become a police officer.

"Sam is a very popular young man and he has a very large and close circle of friends."

Sam, who was awaiting his A-level results after studying at Clarendon House Grammar School in Ramsgate, was found unconscious in the street at 2.15am on Thursday.

Kent Police are appealing for witnesses to the attack.