A DESPERATE mother told how she is considering quitting her job and moving out of the area after her ten-year-old son was assaulted by a gang of teenagers on his way home from school.

Michelle Rylance, of Frobisher Way, Shoebury, was devastated when son Alfie ran home on Friday afternoon after being dragged into a parking bay and repeatedly hit.

He was badly bruised in the attack, which took place at about 3.20pm.

Miss Rylance said: “Alfie was coming home with some of his friends and when they parted ways he continued home.

“That’s when three boys approached him and asked if he wanted a fight. He obviously said no and tried to get past them, but they dragged him into a parking bay set off from West Road and starting beating him up.

“One of them had a scooter which they used to hit him. Alfie was forced to shield himself with his bag and his lunchbox.

“When he came home, he was bruised and his lunchbox was completely smashed up.”

A passerby intervened after seeing the attack. Alfie ran all the way home.

Miss Rylance, 32, added: “Obviously he did the right thing running home, but he was mortified he didn’t get a chance to thank the woman who stepped in.

“He was so upset and now will not leave the house or school without somebody with him.”

Miss Rylance now picks her son up from Richmond Avenue Primary School - and just four days later encountered the same group of thugs.

She believes they were wearing the Shoebury High School uniform.

Miss Rylance said: “I had picked him up from school on Tuesday and we were waiting at the bus stop when they walked past us. Alfie recognised one of them straight away, so I took a picture of him with my phone. That’s when they spat on me and started hurling abuse.

“I went straight up to the high school, in Caulfield Road, and told them what had happened. They said hey couldn’t do anything because it was out of school hours and not on school grounds.

“I am prepared to hand my notice in at work and move out of the area if this is not sorted because Alfie is terrified. He has to go to secondary school next year.

“You just do not expect older boys to pick on a primary school child who they don’t even know. It is shocking animal pack behaviour.”

Shoebury High School did not respond to requests for a comment when contacted by the Echo.

An Essex Police spokesman said: “Police are investigating reports a 10-year-old boy was assaulted by three boys in West Road, Shoebury, at about 3.20pm on Friday, November 25.

“Anyone with information is asked to call police on 101.”