THE parents of a Blaina boy claim their son was left with 40 cuts and bruises after being assaulted by three other boys, two said to be aged eight, and the other 12.

Catherine and Mark Poulsom, of Railway Terrace, say their seven-year-old son, Robert, was kicked, punched, and urinated on.

And the parents say an aerosol can was used to spray their son - then a cigarette lighter was used to threaten him.

The incident is said to have happened between 4pm and 5pm on June 21 on a field known locally as "the tip" behind the Cae'r Odyn estate in Blaina.

Mr and Mrs Poulsom fear it could have been worse if a teenage boy walking his dog had not intervened.

The couple, who have another son aged nine, said Robert was playing near his grandmother's home after school when he was asked to go and play at the tip by the other boys.

"They started kicking him and punching him and he was stripped and an aerosol can used to spray him," said 28-year-old Mrs Poulsom.

"Luckily a teenager came along and stopped it.

"I don't know what might have happened if someone had not come along."

She said that Robert had said two of the boys carried out the actions while the other told them what to do - and added she believed what happened was premeditated and that her son was deliberately lured there.

She said: "He is quite easily led and would have willingly gone with them." Mrs Poulsom said she was not aware of all the details at first, as when Robert was taken back to his grandmother he only said he had been urinated on.

She said it was only when the mothers of the other boys spoke to her about the incident that she called the police and they spoke to Robert.

Then more details began to emerge.

Robert was taken to Nevill Hall Hospital, in Abergavenny, on the day after the alleged assault and underwent an examination.

Mrs Poulsom said he suffered around 40 cuts and bruises, which were now clearing up.

His father, who is 31, said the family moved to Blaina two years ago because they thought it would be a safe environment for their children.

He added they had given a voucher to the teenager who helped Robert as a thank-you.

The couple said they had spoken out because they wanted to put an end to rumours about the incident that had been circulating in the area.

A spokesman for Gwent Police said: "We received a report of an assault on a seven-year-old boy which occurred at the tip behind Westside in Blaina on the evening of June 21.

"Inquiries are currently ongoing, but we would appeal for anyone with information about the incident to contact us on 01633 838111."