A TERRIFIED schoolboy was bundled into the back of a car by a gang, driven to a remote spot, beaten up and dumped there, a jury heard.

Burnley Crown Court was told the 14-year-old, from Nelson, was punched and kicked.

He was left injured, bleeding and with a footprint on his forehead.

When he took police to the scene of the attack they found his blood on the road.

Five men have admitted assaulting the youngster last April in Nelson.

The court heard the victim was said to have been accused of talking to the female cousin of one of the gang at the school they both attended.

Prosecutor Jeremy Grout-Smith told the jury: "Whether this was the motive for the attack remains to be seen."

Imran Yousaf, 18, of Howgill Close, Nelson, Zeshan Ali, 22, of Vulcan Close, Padgate, Warrington, Mujahid Ansar, 18, of St Paul's Road, Nelson, Imran Ali, 19, of Carr Road, Nelson and a Nelson 17-year-old all admitted assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

Mr Grout-Smith said the boy was pushed into a car as he walked home from a takeaway on Larch Street.

He said the victim met Yousaf in the takeaway and was told "I hear you have been talking to my cousin."

The boy said he had not and he was told "you're coming with us."

The prosecutor said the teenager was taken to waste land near Lomeshaye Industrial estate.

The boy was pulled from the car and punched in the face.

He was also struck with a weapon, which the court heard was possibly an anti-theft car lock.

Mr Grout-Smith said the youngster was knocked to the ground before being kicked repeatedly to the face, head and stomach.