SENIOR detectives have spoken of their shock and disgust at the extent of the attack on Craig Rooney.

DI Ged Seddon, who led the operation from St Helens Police Station, said that some of those involved in the attack had complained of having sore and swollen feet after kicking the unconsciousteenager.

He said he had found it difficult to understand why some of the attackers spat at Craig as he lay beneath their feet.

He said: “I have to point out that it wasn’t just males that were kicking this lad on the floor, it was the girls, too.

“It’s difficult to accept that girls would resort to such violent behaviour.’’

Superintendent Peter Edge said: “It has been a painstaking and at times a harrowing task for the investigating officers.”

A forensic dentist had to be called in to examine the bite marks Craig suffered.

This aside, the police explained, there was a paucity of forensic evidence to go on and with such a large number of youths involved in the attack there was enormous difficulty in nailing down exactly who had done what.

The police ran 44 witness parades and were deluged with witness statements from youngsters who were appalled at what they saw in Sherdley Park that May night.

The officers also paid tribute to an unnamed member of the public that helped draw the attack to a close.

DI Seddon said: “The victim’s family and police offer their sincere thanks for having the courage to stand up and be counted.”