THE MUM of a 16-year-old boy who was viciously beaten in Trowbridge on Monday has branded the act "disgusting" and hopes the parents of the culprits encourage their children to confess.

Amanda Tucker said her son Jamie Pugsley, 16, who has learning difficulties, has been left shaken since the incident and believes the assault has knocked his confidence to go out in public.

She said: “He was with his girlfriend when it happened. This summer was the only time he was able to go out on a bus to meet his girlfriend and that helped boost his confidence and so this has obviously knocked it back down.

“I think it was absolutely disgusting. He is still shaken up by it and his girlfriend hasn’t been able to get his scared face out of her head and so she’s having a difficult time too.”

Jamie was walking through Trowbridge park from the direction of the Civic Centre at 5.10pm on Monday with his 15-year-old girlfriend when a group of six teenagers started to shout and follow them.

The pair then tried to get away in the direction of Park Road and walked to Castle Place shopping centre where the verbal abuse continued.

Police have obtained CCTV and are now examining the footage which shows them being followed down the ramp in the shopping centre where the assault took place. The girl remained unharmed.

While police are still making enquiries, Mrs Tucker hopes that the group “have a soul” and hand themselves in.

She said: “I arrived to see my son in shock, he was frightened and just distraught and it was terrifying to see him like that. It is the type of thing you see in the newspaper or on the television and you never think it will happen to you.

“It's a disgrace and I don’t think they should be able to get away with it. It would be satisfying to know that they cannot sleep for what they have done. I hope they will think about it and hopefully their parents will make them come forward. My son has been through so much stress in the last week and so has our family so I hope that the people involved now feel the same thing.

“It is a mother’s nightmare to see that happen to your child.”

After the assault, Jamie later went to the Royal United Hospital where he was found to have a broken nose.

Police are now hoping witnesses will come forward who may have seen the group which were of a similar age. Two of the boys in the group were seen riding bikes and one girl was described as having blue hair.

If you have information about the assault, contact PC Aimee Lappin at Trowbridge Police Station by calling 101.