Boy, 12, stripped to his underwear and whipped with a BELT in sickening attack

A young boy was stripped down to his underwear and beaten with a belt in a sickening attack that was posted on Snapchat.

The 12-year-old was walking with friends in Manchester when he was set upon by a gang of teenage thugs.

The attackers - who were reportedly aged between 15 and 17 - surrounded the defenceless boy.

They stripped him of his clothes, leaving him in just his boxers, before stealing his trainers, T-shirt, phone, chain and bracelet.

The boy was then beaten with a belt while other members of the group filmed it and posted it on Snapchat, reports the Manchester Evening News.

Police confirmed they are investigating the attack, which happened in Drury Lane on Monday night.

The victim’s mother, who asked not to be named, said that a copy of the video - too disturbing to publish - is being handed to police.

She urged anyone who saw what happened or knows who is responsible to contact police.

She told the Manchester evening News:“I just want them caught.

“My son had only been walking to a friend’s house to pick up a charger.

“This group are known for causing trouble. They did this to my son on Monday night and I’m told that someone else was mugged the night after.”

The boy is reported to have suffered injuries to his head and side but did not need hospital treatment.

A spokesman for Greater Manchester Police said: “We received a report at 8.20pm that a 12-year-old boy had been walking with friends on Drury Lane in Chadderton when he was assaulted by a large group of male youths.

“They knocked him to the floor before kicking him and hitting him with a belt.

“They also stole items from him.”