The incident, which police have labelled an “extremely disturbing” first for the city, left one of the victims, 11, with two chipped teeth.

The boy and his friend, 12, had gone to the Lavington Public School oval about 4.30pm to play soccer and tennis.

About six youths, aged 10 to 16, approached the boys and asked for their soccer ball.

When the 11-year-old refused to hand it over, two older boys allegedly punched him and his friend while the onlookers filmed the attack.

The footage has been seized by Albury police as evidence and one youth, 12, pleaded guilty to the assault in Albury Children’s Court yesterday.

His friend, 16, has also been charged.

Insp John Peirce said filming the attack was reprehensible.

“The fact that they’re videotaping it, which we can only presume is for their own enjoyment and entertainment, is extremely disturbing and we would allege an aggravating feature of the assault,” he said.

Insp Peirce said police weren’t aware of any other assaults in the city where the attackers had videotaped the crime.

“It’s the first to my knowledge and hopefully (the police action) will discourage others from doing the same thing,” he said.

The 11-year-old’s mother said the ordeal had traumatised her son.

“My boy was hysterical,” she said.

“Not only has he been physically hurt by this, it’s going to scar him emotionally, too.

“I just don’t know what they get out of doing stuff like that — to record it as well.

“It just breaks my heart.

“It’s not fair that 11 and 12-year-old boys have to have their uncle or mum go with them to play in school.

“That’s what it’s come to. I wouldn’t let them go on their own ... not with gangs hanging around punching people for the sake of punching people.”

The family has lived in Lavington for the past 1½ years.

“These guys have gone down to the school so many times just to kick their ball around, just to fly their kites,” the woman said.

“Nothing like this has ever happened before. It’s atrocious.”

The woman has arranged for her son to see a dentist for his damaged teeth and has made an appointment with a counsellor.