A Brentwood schoolboy was left for dead in a pool of blood after a gang of thugs unleashed a whirlwind of blows against the youngster in a frenzied New Year's Eve attack.

The 13-year-old victim, a keen rugby player, was out jogging near his Priests Lane home when he encountered the four 15 to 16-year-old youths at around 2.30pm on Friday afternoon.

Without warning, one of the four lunged at the boy, twice pushing him into the middle of the road and forcing an oncoming car to screech to a halt.

Trying to escape his tormentors, the teenager - who does not wish to be named - ran off down Priests Lane, but the thugs chased after him, raining blows on him and eventually pushing him into a hedge.

They surrounded him and kicked him in the head, refusing to stop even after the boy slipped into unconsciousness on the blood-soaked footpath.

As concerned motorists pulled over to find out what was going on, the attackers fled.

The victim was taken to hospital, suffering from severe cuts and bruising to the face and head.

He was later released but is still so badly cut and bruised he is having to eat through a straw.

His father, who reached the scene while his son was still laying injured on the ground, later said: "It really was a horrifying experience.

"He still looks awful. His face is swollen, he still can't use his mouth and at one stage his ear blew up to three times its normal size.

"You don't want to have to wrap your children in cotton wool, but it's just horrendous that a child can be kicked unconscious like this at 2.30pm on a bank holiday just a few hundred yards from his own home."

PC Chris Sydric, from Brentwood Police, said: "This sort of attack is not very common in Brentwood at all, in fact it is very rare, but that makes it all the more shocking.

"It was actually a fairly quiet New Year, but this has really spoiled it. It was certainly not a good start to the new millennium for the family concerned and we are doing everything we can to catch the people who are responsible."

Police have issued descriptions of three of the attackers.

One was white ,5ft 9in, of broad build with short, possibly dyed blond hair in a curtain style and a mole on his left cheek.

The second is described as thin, 5ft with short light brown messy hair, while the third was thin, about 5ft 11in,with short light brown messy curly hair and was possibly wearing a blue fleece with red lining.

Anyone who witnessed the attack or who may know the attackers can call PC Sydric in confidence on 01277 262212 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111

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