A VULNERABLE teenage boy has been left with horror injuries after he was attacked by a gang of “feral and cowardly” youths as he travelled home on board a bus.
The boy, who has autism, was left with a broken nose and severe bruising after the youths targeted him and his three friends on the top deck of the X6 bus in Wallyford, East Lothian.
Shocking mobile phone footage of the attack shows about six youths kick, punch and stamp on their young victims during the brutal assault at about 8pm on Saturday.
Police have now launched a hunt for the gang after the family of the teenager reported the attack.
A family member took to social media to slam the attackers, with some believed to be wearing metal gloves and carrying knives.
They said: “To the parents of the numerous kids who thought it was f***ing wise to jump my [teenage] nephew who has autism and break his nose and literally rearrange his face.
“I hope you’re proud of them. You’ll soon be getting knocks at the door from the police as they are very clear on CCTV.”
A still taken from a video of the attack. We have obscured the youths' faces for legal reasons
The six-strong gang boarded the bus outside the Day-Today store in Wallyford and allegedly targeted their victims due to them not being from the area.
The youths are seen to surround the teenage boy and his friends, who are curled up on the bus seats in an attempt to defend themselves as they are beaten in the attack.
The gang then leave the bus before smashing a window of the vehicle as they run away from the scene.
Hundreds of social media users have slammed the youths with one describing them as “feral and cowardly”.
A second said: “They’re all brave when in a gang – let’s hope the police are brave enough to charge and get them to the courts.”
And a third added: “Poor boy must have been terrified. I hope he is alright as he has enough to contend with. That’s shameful.”
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “Around 8.10pm on Saturday, April 20, officers received a report of an assault on and damage to a bus in the Salters Road area of Wallyford.
“Enquiries are ongoing.”
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