A gay man suffered a fractured skull after being lured to a park where a gang of four beat him up, a jury heard.

The 50-year-old was knocked to the ground and repeatedly bludgeoned with bats.

The trial at Leicester Crown Court heard that a gay man was lured to a park where he was attacked by a gang

Leicester Crown Court was told he was initially contacted via an internet chat forum for gay men.

The alleged victim gave his home number and then spoke to a man, who asked to meet him. After several phone conversations, he agreed to go to a car park on Colts Close, Burbage, near Hinckley.

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Adam Ayres (18), of The Gables, Watling Street, Hinckley, denies conspiracy to cause grievous bodily harm between March 11 and 15 last year.

Mark Van der Zwart, prosecuting, said the complainant went to the car park at 8pm on Sunday, March 14, as arranged.

He waited for 40 minutes and twice called a mobile number to see where the man was. He was told to go to a nearby park.

Mr Van der Zwart said: "He walked across the park and was approached by four males.

"He felt a full blow to his head and was knocked to the ground and at least two bats were used to hit him numerous times."

One of the assailants told him: "You won't be meeting gay guys again."

Another demanded his money but he said he had left his wallet in the car and offered to get it, but the males made off.

The alleged victim was left dazed and in pain with blood pouring from two head wounds. His glasses came off and he was unable to see.

He went to a nearby house for help, before going to hospital with two gashes to his head, both deep enough to see the bone, requiring 28 stitches.

He had a fractured skull and bruising to his brain, as well as bruises on his back and a leg.

The man, from Leicestershire, told the jury he had an "inkling" something was not right when the man failed to appear at the agreed time.

He said it was dark in the park and added: "I didn't see them until they were quite close to me. I thought I caught a glimpse of one before I went down, that's all."

Ayres was arrested on March 30 last year and gave a no comment interview to police.

Det Con Peter Wilson said the alleged victim had two mobile numbers of the man who contacted him, one registered to Ayres' home.

There was evidence the computer in his room had been on the same chat site used to contact the alleged victim.

Also in his room was a March 17 edition of the Leicester Mercury, containing a report on the attack with a police appeal for witnesses.

He also had a broken extendable baton, which was produced in court.

Text messages from the defendant's phone and Facebook messages, allegedly between Ayres and his cousin, involved comments about the assault, including reference to the Mercury article.

The trial continues.