A MOTHER has been left sickened after her 14-year-old son was left with a black eye after a “group of teenage thugs” attacked him on his way home from school.

A police investigation is underway into the incident in Southend, which police believe was recorded on a phone.

The teenager was walking down Queens Road with his brother, 12, when he was approached by a group of seven boys and one girl.

The gang started to follow the brothers, before then calling the 12-year-old names, and slapping him in the back of the head.

He was able to fleed the scene after his older brother stepped in to help.

But he was then set upon by the gang, who punched and kicked the teenager.

The boy’s mum, who asked not to be named, said: “The group told him to get on his knees, which he did, but then they asked him to kiss their shoes, which he refused.

“They then started to continuously hit him in the face while pulling him around by his tie and kicking him."

The boy was eventually able to escape the group and run home. 

His mum added: “It makes me feel sick to my stomach, my children travel to and from school together every day, even though they are in separate years, to stay safe.

“They walk the busiest route and they still have been attacked completely unprovoked.

“I don’t even feel comfortable letting them out of my sight anymore.

"I am proud of my eldest doing everything he could to protect his younger brother, but he shouldn’t have needed too as this shouldn’t happen.”

Detectives are urging anyone with information about the attack to come forward.

A spokesman for Essex Police said: “We are investigating an assault in Southend where a 14-year-old boy was attacked.

"It was reported the victim was assaulted by a group of about seven boys and a girl at around 4pm on 16 June.

"Following a short verbal interaction, four of the boys assaulted the victim.

"It’s also been reported that the girl recorded the incident.

"One of the attackers is described as white, short, not wearing a top, wearing tracksuit trousers and with a blonde perm.

“We need anyone who saw anything or has any CCTV, dash cam or doorbell footage to contact us.”

Anyone with information should contact police on 101 and quote crime reference number 42/154107/22.