A BOY of 12 was badly beaten up by a gang of thugs as he walked home from school. Martin Tindell was head-butted and then repeatedly punched in the face.

Martin, a pupil at Chatham Grammar School, was with two friends when they were approached by a small group of boys. His friends managed to escape unscathed but Martin suffered a bruised and swollen face.

The vicious assault happened in Palmerston Road, Chatham. His mother Michelle Bourner, 33, said: "My son is absolutely devastated.

"He is not the type of boy who goes out looking for trouble and there isn't an ounce of violence in him. I spent eight hours in hospital with him and even the hospital staff were shocked by the amount of bruising he had suffered to his face.

"I want these vicious youths to be prosecuted. I want to take it further because I am absolutely disgusted by it. My son is now scared to go outside the house."

Police are investigating the assault, which occurred on Tuesday, March 8 at about 4pm, and would like anyone who has any information to contact them on 01634 827055.