Gang of men beats 16-year-old in Norton street (From Gazette & Herald)

Gang of men beats 16-year-old in Norton street

A GANG of men clubbed a 16-year-old schoolboy senseless, then left him lying in a Ryedale street, said police.

The gang used a large piece of wood in the attack which North Yorkshire Police branded both sickening and mindless.

Officers say the battered teenager may need to undergo specialist treatment for the facial injuries he suffered during the attack.

He was only rescued after the gang had fled, when passers-by found him and hailed a passing taxi driver, who raised the alarm.

Now police are appealing for anyone with information about the beating to come forward and bring the gang to justice.

The lengthy beating took place at around 11.30pm on Saturday as the schoolboy was cycling on his BMX bike from a friend's house in Norton to his home in Malton.

Police Constable Ian Fraser, of Malton police, said: "A serious, mindless and sickening attack took place on a schoolboy in Norton Road, Norton.

"The youth, who lives in the Malton area, was cycling home on his BMX bike from Norton having spent the evening at a friend's house.

"He had crossed the railway crossing at County Bridge, he turned left into Norton Road where he was immediately stopped by a number of men who inflicted a prolonged attack on him which also involved the use of a large piece of wood one of his attackers was carrying.

"The youth was found unconscious by a passing taxi driver and was taken to York Hospital."

Police said the 16-year-old had suffered severe facial injuries and bruising to his head and upper body in the attack.

It is believed he has no broken bones, but he must see a facial surgeon to make sure his injuries are properly treated.

The teenager was detained in York Hospital until the morning after the attack.

Self-employed taxi driver Tony Sellers, who phoned an ambulance for the victim, said: "His face was a mess, as though he had been dragged acaross a gravel patch on his face."

Anyone with information about the incident is being asked to contact Det Con Bob Holland at Malton CID on (01653) 692424.

Updated: 09:20 Wednesday, January 21, 2004