Leon Hatton was dragged along the ground and kicked in the head by up to six boys in Nanny Goat Park, Fingerpost, at about 5.30pm last Thursday (November 20).

The Merton Bank Primary School pupil has since told police that members of the gang, who were aged up to about 12-years-old, recorded video footage of the assault on a mobile phone.

Leon's grandmother Denise Wyatt, said: "My grandson was in the park with his friend when these lads grabbed them both and started punching them and banging their heads together.

"One of the lads was even recording it all on his mobile phone. It makes me feel sick that kids as young as Leon are being targeted in this way. I think it's absolutely disgusting.

"Luckily my grandson's friend managed to escape and call his mum down to the park to break it up. Leon still suffered bruised ribs and scratches up his back and the back of his neck though - and he's still getting headaches now.

"But it makes it even worse that these lads were actually taking pleasure out of hurting an innocent child. They were just laughing and sniggering."

Mrs Wyatt, 51, added: "All I keep thinking is that it could have been so much worse - I've not slept since. It breaks my heart to see Leon's confidence knocked like this. He's a quiet lad as it is but this is just going to knock him back to square one.

"I want to warn other parents that it's not just teenagers doing this - it's younger children too. I hope these lads' parents take proper action to get them under control."

Merton Bank Headteacher Kirsty Haw said: "This was an out of school incident so the police are keeping us updated on how we can follow it up in school. We need to support Leon to ensure he doesn't feel frightened or threatened in school. We operate a zero tolerance policy."

A spokeswoman for Merseyside Police added: "We were contacted by the family about this incident. A Police Community Support Officer who normally visits the school will go in to speak to the children - but we will not be investigating it any further at this stage."