A GANG of schoolchildren beat up a young boy at a petrol station before being chased off by customers.

The victim was pinned down and repeatedly punched in the face at the Esso garage in Greensward Lane, Hockley, until motorists stopped and the young thugs fled.

The victim is understood to have been a pupil from Greensward Academy with the bullies also from the school.

An eyewitness reported: “I watched as he was pulled and punched in the face.

“He was then held by another child and punched some more.

“I jumped out of my car and screamed at the kids to leave the boy alone.

“The kids did stop attacking the boy straight away and another one of the customers at the garage came out and took names for them.”

It happened just after 3pm on Tuesday.

Staff at the petrol station revealed teachers from Greensward Academy visited the station yesterday morning to find out more about the incident and what had happened.

The eyewitness added: “What I saw was nothing short of horrifying.

“The boy was petrified.

“I’m glad I got there when I did.”

Katie Scarnell, principal of the academy, said: “We are aware of the unfortunate incident which took place after school.

“A thorough investigation has taken place and the matter is now resolved with all appropriate actions having been taken.”

Ms Scarnell did not expand on what action had been taken or whether police had become involved although a spokesman for Essex Police said no record of the incident had been received.

The eyewitness, posting on social media, added: “Bullying is never OK and victims should never suffer in silence.

“It’s never alright to be attacked on your way home from school.

“I’m totally disgusted by what I saw.”