A teenager was badly beaten by a gang outside a Bradford cinema after trying to act as a peacemaker.

Joshua Longford, 16, was left black and blue and with a broken nose after he was punched, kicked and stamped on by a 12-strong mob.

The vicious attack took place outside the entrance to the Odeon cinema, at the Gallagher Leisure Park, in Dick Lane,Thornbury, Bradford.

Joshua’s father, Allan Longford, is now seeking a meeting with cinema bosses after he claimed a security guard witnessed the beating, but took no action.

Mr Longford is considering taking out a £1,000 loan as a reward for information leading to the arrest of those involved.

Mr Longford said: “What happened to my son was unbelievable. There seems to be no motive for it. He was left in a right mess.”

Joshua, of Bramley, Leeds, was attending a friend’s Halloween party at a club in the leisure complex last Friday evening when trouble arose.

His father said: “A group of Asians were going around the club, trying to cause trouble with anyone they could. They started with the party host, who is also Asian, and my son stood up with him, and said ‘leave it out, mate, we’re all here to have some fun.’ “He shook hands and thought it was all sorted out.

“But as he went outside to leave, one of the lads came up to him and punched him in the face.”

Mr Longford said his son saw about 12 other youths running towards him and he dashed towards the cinema, where his father was watching a film.

He said: “He tried to open the door but it was locked. He felt a blow to the back of the head and fell to the ground, where the gang kicked him and stamped on his head. While this was happening, the security guard was stood inside watching, and did not do a thing to prevent the onslaught, or unlock the door.

“I am extremely angry and I am going to see the cinema manager.”

Joshua needed hospital treatment to glue his eyebrow and dental work for a tooth that was broken in half. He is returning to hospital to have his broken nose assessed, and his ears and head are black with bruises.

Police confirmed they were investigating the assault. They said the main suspect was Asian, about 5ft 5in, skinny, aged 16 or 17, with short black hair, and wearing a grey jumper.

The rest of the group were Asian males aged 15 to 20.

Any witnesses, or anyone with information, are asked to contact PC Simon Jaggar, of the Neighbourhood Investigations Unit at Weetwood police station, on 0845 6060606, or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.

An Odeon spokesman said they were “working closely with the appropriate authorities to help with their investigations” and were unable to make any further comment.