A 13-year-old boy thought he was dead after being brutally attacked by a gang of men who stole his bike.
Jay Richardson said he was out with friends on Easter Sunday when he was set upon by four men.
The Outwood Academy student, from Teesside, was punched in the face by one man as two others started to hit him.
When his friend stepped in to try and stop the attack, he too was targeted by the yobs, Teesside Live reports.
Two of them eventually left on a scooter, while two others riding stolen bikes, including Jay's £600 red and black Voodoo cycle.
Jay's father Scott Wharfe had dropped his son off at Tees Barrage earlier on Sunday, before returning after hearing about the attack and finding him bloodied and battered.
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Scott said: "I arrived at the same time as the ambulance was arriving. He was just laid flat out - I thought he was dead at first.
“From what he can remember, they were approached by a group of four lads, probably in the early 20s, who asked them if they’d seen a bag.
"When Jay said ‘no’ one of them smacked him and another two started hitting him. Then they took his bike and another lad’s."
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Jay was taken by ambulance to James Cook University Hospital where he stayed overnight.
He suffered a broken nose and a possible eye socket fracture and severe swelling to his face.
Scott said the incident had “really knocked” Jay, who has ADHD issues but regularly plays on his bike around the barrage area, which is covered by CCTV and where he’s previously felt safe.
He added: “Hopefully they’ll catch whoever did this and justice will be served.
“You can’t have grown adults hitting kids and taking their bikes - it’s disgusting.”
Scott said the incident has been reported to Cleveland Police.
