A schoolboy has been left too terrified to leave his house after being attacked by thugs wearing Friday the 13th masks.
Ryan Attwood, 11, was punched in the stomach and suffered bruising to his face when the gang of youths attacked him as he walked home from school in Swadlincote, Derbyshire.
He claims the yobs, who he believes to be aged around 18, beat him for no reason.
He did not suffer any serious injuries, but has been left badly traumatised by the incident, reports Derby Telegraph.
His mum, Melanie, 37, said: "I was on my way to pick him up from school when it happened.
"He said he wanted to get a bit more independence before starting secondary school , so we agreed I would meet him half way home.
"I'd stopped and was talking to a friend when my husband ran up to me and said Ryan had been beaten up.
"It was just unbelievable. He's just a nice, happy, bubbly boy and he never has any trouble so I couldn't get my head around it."
When Melanie arrived home, she found Ryan battered and bruised and immediately called the police to report what had happened.
The assault reportedly happened shortly after 3pm on Station Road when Ryan was walking home from Woodville C of E Junior School.
He said the hooded yobs, believed to be around 18, approached him and started punching him for no reason.
The brutal assault has taken its toll on the young boy, who has been having nightmares since.
Melanie said: "I can't get him out of the house. He keeps having nightmares and he can hardly sleep.
"It's so horrible seeing him like this. He's normally so bubbly and happy but it's like he's not himself anymore.
"I'm so angry that someone would do this to him.
"My daughter has anxiety as well and it's freaking her out.
"We're just hoping that someone out there knows something. You don't see kids walking around in hockey masks every day, so I hope someone noticed them.
"All I can hope is that someone will get in touch with the police."
Derby Police is investigating the incident.
If you have information call police on 101.
