A BURNLEY schoolboy has been told he could be facing detention for his part in a gang attack.

The 16-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was said to have kicked victim Andrew Murray, when he was on the ground.

Burnley Magistrates Court was told the 16-year-old was not the prime mover in the attack and not the instigator.

He only became involved when the complainant was on the ground and when he was already overpowered.

When he was arrested the defendant, a pupil at a Burnley high school, admitted he had kicked Mr Murray, possibly in the hip area.

Mr Murray had to have a week off work after the beating and suffered reddening, bruising, cuts and a gash to his head. He was taken to hospital to have his injuries treated.

Geoff Ireland, defending, said the 16-year-old admitted he threw a punch at Mr Murray, it missed and he then kicked him in the hip area.

He got involved after an altercation, an exchange of verbal insults and after the victim was put to the ground.

The incident was nasty but Mr Murray's injuries were not particularly serious.

The defendant was bailed until June 24 for his case to be heard at Burnley youth court and he was warned the possibility of detention was not being ruled out.

The teenager was told to observe a curfew between 9pm and 7am and not to associate with his co-defendants or the victim.