A gang of youths from Didcot wielding baseball bats and metal poles attacked a teenager and left him with temporary brain damage, a court heard yesterday.

Shane Hare, of Mereland Road; Benjamin Sinclair, of Kibble Close; and Damon Bishop, of Churchill Close, all aged 18 and from Didcot, deny causing grievous bodily harm with intent and violent disorder.

Three 17-year-olds, who cannot be named because of their age, also deny the two charges.

Oxford Crown Court heard yesterday that the six were part of a self-styled gang.

Opening the case, the prosecution alleged the group drove from Didcot to Grove in two cars with metal poles and wooden bats after exchanging insults with another youth on the Internet in March this year.

It is alleged the group then attacked a teenager, who also cannot be named because of his age, in Tubbs Close, Grove, with a metal bar before kicking and stamping on his head when he was on the ground.

The court was told the alleged victim was left with brain damage, which meant he was temporarily unable to talk.

He has since made a full recovery.

A witness who tried to intervene in the alleged attack on March 22 later told police he saw the gang smashing car windows as they left the scene, the court heard.

The prosecution allege all six youths were acting together in the attack and suggested it did not matter which individuals actually caused the injuries.

The trial is expected to last three weeks.

The case continues.