A child was attacked by a group of other children because they wanted his new Champion's League football.
Josh Bennett, 13, was heading out to see his friends when he was approached by the group of boys in Water Street, Port Talbot.
The group asked to buy Josh's ball for £2.50, but when he declined their offer, they attacked him.
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Josh's mother, Hayley Bennett, said the incident had left her son afraid to go out on his own.
She said: "He was just walking to meet his friends when he spotted the group looking at him from across the road. He said the boys were aged between 11 and 15, and the older one asked to buy his ball. He said no and carried on walking, but the group just attacked him for the ball.
"They checked behind them to make sure no-one was watching, and the big lad punched him in the mouth, so Josh hit him back but it caused him to fall off the kerb, and then all of the little lads started punching him and kicking him, and Josh pushed them off but by then the big lad had the ball and they all ran off.
"That's when he phoned me in tears, he was more concerned that he'd lost the ball as his younger brother had saved up to buy it for him for Christmas, and these balls aren't cheap.
"As soon as Josh got home I jumped in the car and drove around for hours trying to find these lads, but they were probably hiding in a house or garden at this point and there was no sign of them."
As well as reporting the incident to the police, Hayley also put out an appeal for help on Facebook, which has been shared nearly 200 times.
She said: "Since I put the appeal on Facebook I've had so many people messaging asking 'is it these lads' and sending photos but we haven't been able to find them yet. Josh has had so many lovely messages ands comments though which has been really nice."
"Josh's Grandad went out and bought him a football yesterday, but it doesn't change how shaken he is. He didn't go out much before this and now he doesn't want to go out at all. Luckily, the only physical injury is that he has a little bit of a thick lib but other than that he is just so shaken up. It's such a shame for him."
South Wales police has been contacted for comment.
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