A teenager is too afraid to leave his house after he was beaten up at a skateboard park.

Battered - Ben Rich's face shows the effect of the beating he received by a gang of youths.

Ben Rich, 17, has described the moment he was jumped from behind by a gang of about 20 youths, at the council-run park off Cowdray Avenue, Colchester, as "terrifying".

"One minute I was skating, then they all bundled into me. I could feel all these blows coming down," he said.

The gang eventually ran off, and fellow skaters helped the Colchester Institute student to his feet and called his parents.

Father Keith Rich said he was horrified at what he saw.

"He was covered in blood and very shaken," he said.

Ben, of Allendale Drive in Copford, was rushed to hospital after the incident on Friday evening with facial and back injuries and doctors feared he could have a fractured skull.

Police are urging anyone with information to call 01206 762212 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111

Published Wednesday, March 13, 2002