THE mother of an 18-year-old brutally beaten in an unprovoked attack has demanded police release CCTV of the incident in the hope it will encourage witnesses to come forward.

Rory O'Reilly, of Tulip Gardens in Chingford, had many bones broken and had his jaw smashed when he was set upon by a gang of thugs at around 2.30am on Bank Holiday Monday (May 3) outside a kebab shop in Loughton High Road.

Witnesses said a group of men and women aged in their 20s randomly targeted Rory and his two friends as they walked along the road to a cab office.

A week after the attack his distraught mother has said she is angry that officers have still not made public images of the attack.

She said: “I'm very frustrated with the police. I phoned them up and the officer said he had been watching the CCTV footage, but it needs to be out in public because it could help people come forward.

“The police need to catch these thugs before they attack anyone else. I will never, ever rest until they have been brought to justice. Rory's life has been practically ruined.

“He's 18 and he should be out doing what teenagers do, but he's stuck at home being depressed and miserable.”

A police spokesman said the investigating officer was currently interviewing witnesses, and did not want to release the CCTV yet in case it prejudiced their version of events, however a photograph of Rory's injuries has now been released.

Meanwhile the family have welcomed news from Guy's Hospital in London that the extensive facial reconstructive work and bone grafts that Rory needs will be paid for in full by the NHS, and they will not have to pay thousands of pounds forwards the surgery as previously feared.

Police are still hunting and witnesses to what happened to come forward.

The two main suspects are described as both white, aged 18-22 and slim build, although some witnesses think they may have been older.

One was about 5ft 8 ins tall with short, dark hair, wearing a green polo shirt top, white zip up jacket and jeans. Police say he also wore a "modern" style cap.

The other was taller, about 6ft and was wearing dark top and jeans.

Anyone with information about the attack is urged to contact detectives at Loughton on 0300 333 4444 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.