'DESPICABLE' thugs knocked a boy unconscious and stamped on his head after a family-friendly festival.

A mother said she was 'devastated' to welcome her 17-year-old son home from LibFest in Witney, only to see his face encrusted with blood and his front tooth hanging loose.

She wrote about the attack on Facebook on Sunday, in hope of identifying the instigator, and the post was shared more than 1,300 times.

It has since been deleted after police advised that they should not publicise their identities.

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The victim had spent Saturday enjoying the music event in The Leys, which is held in memory of 14-year-old Witney schoolgirl Liberty Baker.

After the music finished he remained in the park with friends, where he was then beaten in a seemingly unprovoked assault.

Oxford Mail:

The boy's punctured lip and cracked tooth

His mother, who lives in Witney, told the Oxford Mail: "He was stood by some green railings, on the opposite side [of the park] to where LibFest was, and heard someone say 'that's him.'

"He was punched in the face and knocked out, and witnesses said two other lads were then stamping on his head."

Police are investigating the assault, which happened between 10pm and 10.30pm near the skate park.

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The woman said: "I had been at work so I was asleep when he got home, and my husband woke me up to say he had been attacked.

"It's your worst fear as a parent, I've been so emotional. I've never cried so much in my life. Some of it is out of frustration and anger - you should be able to go out without that happening.

"He's one of the most laid-back boys you'll ever meet, he's never gone out looking for trouble. I don't know if it was a case of mistaken identity."

The teenager went to get checked out at A&E at the John Radcliffe Hospital, in case he had been concussed.

Oxford Mail:

He arrived home with dried blood all over his face

His mum said she has heard of other assaults at The Leys recently, adding: "I think it's about time they put CCTV there."

An emergency dental appointment revealed via an X-ray that the tooth is broken and likely will have to be removed.

Before it was deleted, the Facebook post had amassed hundreds of comments, with people condemning the attacker as 'despicable' and a 'monster.'

The attacker is described as having black hair, aged between 20 and 30, and of a large build.

One person wrote: "Hopefully we can work together as a community and get the evil coward who did this brought to justice."

Another said: "I'm so deeply upset by this- this is terrifying. I hope you and [your son] and everyone can recover."

Oxford Mail:

Aerial view of The Leys, from Google Maps

One woman added: "What the hell is happening in Witney? This is awful and to happen at LibFest is so disappointing and disgusting."

Also commenting on the post, Faye Carrick, one of the LibFest organisers, said: "We are so sorry to see and hear what’s happened to your son.

"The LibFest team were on site on the football side of the Leys until 10.45pm, and the police were present for a different situation just before this on our site.

"The team then left the site and we had overnight security here."

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In an updated post, the boy's mum said she was 'heartbroken' but had been 'overwhelmed' by the shares and support.

She said she will do everything she can to give him his smile back.

A Thames Valley Police spokesman confirmed that the force is investigating an assault on a teenager, which happened at around 10pm at The Leys.

No arrests have been made at this stage and anyone with information is asked to call 101, quoting reference 43190197560.