A gang of thugs who attacked a teenager and told him he "deserved" the beating are being hunted by police.

Detectives are keen to hear from anyone who may know the attackers who terrorised the 18-year-old man in his bedsit in Cranes Court, Basildon.

Det Con Jon Burgess, of Basildon CID, said the young man had only been in the bedsit, which is off Cranes Farm Road, for a few months but had already suffered victimisation at the hands of unknown thugs.

One example was when he had recently returned home to find all his taps were turned on and his bedsit flooded.

In the latest incident, the man was in bed asleep when his front door was kicked in. Five men burst into his room and one of them began kicking and punching him.

Det Con Burgess said: "The one assaulting him said 'you deserve this' as he continued to kick and punch him.

"None of the others were involved in the assault although one was heard to say 'leave it or you'll end up killing him'.

"In addition, they stole his passport and a number of other items."

Anyone with information about the incident should contact Det Con Burgess at Basildon CID on 01268 532212.

Published Tuesday, June 3, 2003

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