A GANG of twelve louts set upon a schoolboy in York as he tried to stop one of them from stealing his valuable mountain bike.

Blows rained down on Daniel Harrand as he grabbed hold of his customised Trek Bruiser to try to stop it being stolen.

Police are appealing for witnesses following the attack involving a dozen ten to 17-year-olds who stole two mountain bikes, together worth nearly £2,000, from Daniel and his brother, Alex.

Sergeant Dave Hopper, at York Police Station, said the incident happened close to the cycle path under the A64 between Bondhill Loop and Askham Bar at York.

The boys' mother, Jackie Harrand, of Brayton, Selby, said: "It has been horrendous. "It is bad enough that the bikes were taken, but they beat up Daniel to get his bike off him. We were at the police station for six hours and then in the hospital. The injuries were bad enough that we went back the day after to have them photographed.

"I am really angry and they are both really upset about it." Fifteen-year-old Daniel said he had been in York with Alex, 17, and a friend at the time.

"We decided to ride home on the cycle paths. I fell off my bike because the chain slipped off, and I cut my arm."

As the three rested, the youths approached

"I was on the floor because my arm was hurting," said Daniel.

"They just picked our bikes up and started riding around on them. We gathered our bags and said we were going. But a young kid who took my bike started to ride off.

"I grabbed hold of it, but then about six of them started punching me. I couldn't hold on. I just wanted to get away."

Daniel suffered facial bruising and swelling, but escaped more serious injury.

"My mum and dad got me the bike, but I have been doing it up and bought all the new parts. My brother has done the same."

The maroon bike had white wheels, red pedals, black suspension bearing white writing and DMR on the seat. His brother's red Bass mountain bike featured white writing.

Anyone with information about the attack, which occurred at about 5pm last Thursday, should phone York Police on 01904 631321.

Updated: 10:50 Monday, September 06, 2004