A MUM was shocked after her 16-year-old son was viciously attacked as he travelled to a friend’s house.

Charlotte Hensley’s son boarded a bus at Churchill Square in Brighton but after he sat down a boy started punching the back of his seat.

The youngster became worried and then a group of teenagers jumped on him from behind as he got off the bus, leaving him with a smashed phone and concussion.

His 34-year-old mum, from Ditchling Rise, Brighton said: “This boy started ringing around his mates telling them to come and meet him.

“My son messaged me and said, ‘mum, I think I’m in trouble’.

“Two more people got on and sat with the boy on the top deck so my son moved downstairs to try and avoid them.

“He texted me asking me to call the police, then his phone just went silent.

“I was ringing and ringing but there was no answer.

“The next thing I heard was a call from a police officer saying they were with him.

“I couldn’t believe what had happened.”

Ms Hensley said her son, who The Argus is not naming, had left the bus at Old Steine and thought he had escaped.

But the thugs jumped on him from behind.

She said: “He got off the bus and turned left and the other lads turned the other way.

“But within seconds they attacked him from behind and snatched his phone.

“When the police turned up, they ran but one of them dropped their phone so we handed this in to police.”

The incident happened in October but Ms Hensley is appealing for help to catch those involved.

A Sussex Police spokesman said: “At 5.25pm on Friday, October 25, we received a report that a 16-year-old boy had just been assaulted after getting off a bus in Old Steine, Brighton, and had sustained bruising.

“Officers attended and the incident was investigated.

“A 15-year-old boy was arrested on suspicion of assault, and the case has been referred to the Brighton Youth Offending Team for a decision on what action to take.”

Brighton and Hove Buses’ managing director Martin Harris said: “What happened must have been really frightening for this boy and for his parents. We urge people to contact us immediately when something like this happens so we can download the CCTV and help police catch those responsible as quickly as possible.

“We want people to feel safe on our buses.”