Group of eshays brandishing a knuckleduster attack teen

Horrified witnesses could only watch on as a young boy was attacked by a group of teens brandishing a knuckleduster in broad daylight. SEE THE VIDEO

Masked “eshays” armed with a knuckleduster have been captured coward punching a 16-year-old boy in central Geelong.

More than 10 teenagers can be seen stalking the young boy and his friends as they walk up Little Malop St on Wednesday afternoon.

CCTV shows the boy walking away before one teen, wearing a surgical mask and a black hoodie, jumps up and punches his victim in the head from behind.

Others join in moments later, dealing several blows to the boy’s head and neck while stunned onlookers watch on.

More teens lagging behind can be seen filming the ordeal on their phones.

The group of hooded teenagers was seen running, laughing and smiling, as they retreated from the scene back towards the Moorabool St bus stop at about 5.10pm.

The young victim and his friends were left shaken by the attack, telling the Geelong Advertiser on Wednesday they were followed all the way from Market Square.

Eshay rushes behind a 16-year-old boy before he coward punches him in broad daylight. Picture: Supplied

The victim was hit with a knuckleduster during the assault, receiving minor injuries. Picture: Supplied

The 16-year-old boy, who wished not to be named, said he and his friends were jeered and provoked by the group of “eshays” as they walked down Little Malop St.

Eshays is the slang term for white males that think they are gangsters, often wearing puffer jackets and tracksuit pants from expensive brands, according to Urban Dictionary.

Only when the young boy told the teens to “leave them alone” did they start to kick and punch him on the sidewalk near Downes Lane in a busy dining precinct.

Witnesses claimed that some of the attackers even jumped up onto elevated flower beds along the footpath to hit the 16-year-old from above.

At least one teen used a knuckleduster as he inflicted blows to the boy’s head.

Only when friends of the victim threatened to call the police did the group run away.

“They just bashed a kid,” one witness was heard saying as they ran past pedestrians on Moorabool St.

Police respond to another incident along Little Malop St on Thursday afternoon. Photo: Fergus Ellis

Victoria Police said officers were looking into a group of “male teens” that had fled from the area following the attack.

“Despite officers being quick to respond, the group (was) not located,” a spokesman said.

Left reddened and beaten, the victim was consoled by friends and strangers came to check on the young boy as he waited for officers to arrive.

The young boy said he was lucky to be in such good company following the incident.

“They are the best friends anyone could ever ask for,” he said.

Police believe the attack was isolated and not connected to any previous incidents.

A spokesman added officers would be conducting regular patrols along Little Malop St and Market Square following the attack, as part of ongoing efforts to monitor the area.

“Both reassurance foot and vehicle patrols are being conducted in the Geelong central activities area,” the spokesman said.

The investigation remains ongoing.

Workers along Little Malop St said it was not uncommon to see groups of younger people yelling and loitering up the street, or people under the influence causing havoc.

As a result, workers on the strip said what should be a hub for diners and pub-seekers, was often left desolate and quiet on weekday afternoons.

Originally published as Group of eshays brandishing a knuckleduster attack teen