By Roddy AshworthTHE mother of a teenager who was savagely beaten by a gang of youths told last night how she hoped his attackers would be brought to justice.
By Roddy Ashworth
THE mother of a teenager who was savagely beaten by a gang of youths told last night how she hoped his attackers would be brought to justice.
Daniel Sanderson was taken to hospital with a broken arm, a fractured hand and facial injuries after a mob of about 20 youths surrounded him.
About seven gang members kicked and punched the 16-year-old, leaving him lying unconscious on East Street, close to the Rose and Crown Hotel, Colchester, just before 11pm on Friday.
Daniel was eventually rescued by a 14-year-old girl, who carried his battered body and hid it in a hedge while she went to get help.
The teenager, from Colchester, was allowed home from the town's general hospital yesterday after undergoing surgery for his injuries at the weekend.
His mother Julie said she was appalled at the way her son had been treated and added: “It is horrible to think of what he went through - it was torture.
“I hope they are going to get the people who did it. To see your child go through that is terrible.
“His face was bad enough, but that will go down. His arm has got metal staples holding it together. I cannot understand why it happened. He is a popular lad.”
Daniel, a tyre lifter for Eastern Waste Disposal in Brightlingsea, said the incident had happened after his friend had been assaulted.
“I went to look for him. He came running round. Then these people came around the corner and said I was his mate,” he recalled.
“There were about 20 people. About seven people were hitting me. There were two girls. At the time I didn't feel any pain. I was trying to focus on getting away. I blacked out. Next thing I knew I was in Rollerworld.”
Mrs Sanderson and her son thanked the doctors and nurses at Colchester General Hospital, who had treated the teenager.
She also thanked the 14-year-old girl who had come to his rescue. “I just dread to think what would have happened to him if it wasn't for her,” added Mrs Sanderson.
An Essex Police spokeswoman said no arrests had been made in connection with the attack on Daniel.
She appealed for anyone with information to contact Colchester police on 01206 762512.
roddy.ashworth@eadt.co.uk
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