A TEENAGER has told how she feared she would be raped or killed after being attacked by a gang of four men.

Charlotte Harris, of Sandy Lane, Accrington, had become separated from her boyfriend on a night out in Blackburn when the group of lads tried to steal her mobile phone and assaulted her.

The St Mary's College student said she is now too scared to go out on her own after being attacked on Heaton Street at 3.45am on Sunday 4 February.

Charlotte said: "It was quite frightening. My memory has gone a bit hazy because it was a bad thing and I want to block it out.

"I had a bit of a row with my boyfriend and I went off to find a taxi.

"These four Asian guys came round the corner and were being loud. They started trying to chat me up .

"I told them to leave me alone, I wasn't in the mood, but they wouldn't leave.

"Then one grabbed my head trying to pull me towards him and his friend snatched my phone out of my hand.

"When I tried to get it back he grabbed my right hand and twisted it. My hand's broken.

"He kicked me in the head and stomach. I staggered back and fell over and they ran off.

"I didn't know what they were going to do to me. I though they could have a knife or other weapon. I was really scared and I thought they were going to kill or rape me."

Charlotte, 16, who is studying English, art and design and psychology, added: "My boyfriend keeps saying it was his fault but it was mine for wandering off.

"I won't go round on my own anymore, I'm always with people now. I'm going to be a lot more cautious. I used to go out in Blackburn every Saturday but now I really don't want to go.''

Detectives are now checking CCTV footage of the area.

The four men were Asian. The first was stocky, with shaved hair at the back and sides and was wearing a dark T-shirt and trousers.

The second was skinny, wearing a white beanie hat, dark jacket and white trousers.

Anyone with information should contact Blackburn CID on 353563 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.