A MAN allegedly punched a 12-year-old boy in the eye as the audience settled down to watch the movie King Kong at Cineworld at the waterfront at lunchtime on Saturday.

During the trailers, the man, said to be in his 30s or 40s, complained about noise coming from the 12-year-old and his two friends.

He then allegedly punched the youngster, who sustained a severe cut to his eyelid that required hospital treatment.

The boy’s mother arrived inside screen one a few minutes later and challenged the man, which led to a disturbance at the back of the cinema.

The man then left with a woman in her 30s but they were followed by the mother and a member of the cinema’s staff.

The couple split up and ran when they got outside.

The man ran past Pizza Hut restaurant and the woman ran towards the underground car park.

The man was described as white, about 5 ft 8 in tall and of stocky build.

He was carrying a white tracksuit type top, a box of popcorn and a bottle.

The woman was described as being in her mid-30s, about 5 ft 4 in tall, with chin-length mousey hair and was said to have a slightly pointed nose.

She was wearing blue jeans, a beige jumper, a pink scarf, a green corduroy jacket and was carrying a large handbag.

Both the man and the woman were said to have Scottish accents.

The police have CCTV footage of the suspect but investigating officers are appealing for any witnesses to come forward.

Anyone who may be able to identify either of the couple should contact Pcs Timothy Rowe or James Wileman on 612612 or anonymously by calling the Crimestoppers line on 0800 555111.