TWO teenage boys were set upon by a violent gang after they “looked at their attackers in a funny way”.

The boys, aged 13 and 14, were rushed to hospital after the attack in Swan Mead Park, in Basildon.

During the attack, the boys were repeatedly struck by the gang.

One of the boys’ mums said her son has been left scared to go out after the attack.

The 42-year-old, of Swanstead, Vange, said: “The two boys went out with a group of friends and were waiting for others.

“The kids then came over and assaulted my son because apparently my son had looked at them in a funny way.

“They knocked my son off his bike, punched him in the face and kicked him on the floor.

“My son needed a scan at hospital because he had lumps on the side of his head. One of the boys needed to have about 20 stitches on his mouth.”

The boys have both suffered swollen faces and are still very sore.

The mum added: “I am not happy about what happened. I am letting police deal with it, but if I had my way we’d be down there and heads would roll.

“I think it is disgusting what happened, the boys didn’t do anything.

“They wouldn’t hurt a fly. My son doesn’t want to ride his bike to school or go out.

“I will be concerned about his going out now.”

A spokesman for Essex Police said: “We were called shortly before 6pm on Sunday, June 9, to reports of an assault in the Church Road area of Basildon.

“It was reported a 13-year-old boy and a 15-year-old boy were assaulted by another boy in Swan Mead Park.

“The boys were taken to hospital for treatment.

“If you have any information please call us on 101 quoting incident 977 of June 9 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.”