A Dunedin teenager was left with a bleeding nose after being kicked and punched in the head at a park.

The 15-year-old victim was at Bathgate Park, South Dunedin with friends at 4.50pm yesterday when another group of teenagers known to them appeared, Sergeant Matt Lee, of Dunedin, said.

A verbal argument quickly began and escalated when another 15-year-old began to throw multiple punches at the victim’s head.

He then began to kick him.

The perpetrator then threatened the victim — who was by then bleeding from his nose — with more physical harm before walking away with the group of friends he came with.

The alleged attacker was arrested and held in police custody charged with assault and speaking threateningly.

He would appear in Dunedin Youth Court today.

laine.priestley@odt.co.nz