Two teenage girls have been attacked by a gang in what is believed to be a 'happy-slapping' street robbery.
Hayley James (14) was walking with a friend along Baden Powell Road, Boythorpe, at 9.30pm on Friday when they were targeted by a five-strong gang.
Hayley's grandmother, Jean White (59), said: "They were terrified. The gang counted out loud to thre
e and two girls attacked Hayley and her friend from behind while a boy had something like a mobile phone and seemed to be filming.
"They could have killed Hayley because they didn't stop kicking her on the ground. If her other friends hadn't come running they would have carried on."
The gang, including four girls and a boy, attacked the teenagers as they were walking to a sleepover, stealing three bags with hundreds of pounds worth of clothes, jewellery and make-up.
They pulled their victims' hair from behind and punched them in the face before kicking Hayley to the ground.
Hayley suffered bruising and swelling to her head and back, a cut lip and a suspected broken nose and needed treatment at Chesterfield Royal Hospital. Her friend suffered a black eye and swelling.
Mrs White, who lives with Hayley and the youngster's mum at Newbold, said: "We thank God this gang didn't have a knife but Hayley has been left so shocked she's too frightened to go out."
Police are appealing for witnesses including a woman who treated Hayley with tissues.
The offenders were described as white and the two attackers had blonde hair, wore Golddigga jackets, dark-coloured trousers and white trainers and one had a lazy eye.
Anyone with information should call Chesterfield police on 0845 123 3333 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
The full article contains 296 words and appears in Derbyshire Times newspaper.
