Johnny was visiting friends on the day he died

Johnny Delaney was found with serious head injuries in a field in Ellesmere Port in May. He died later in hospital.

Two 16-year-old youths are on trial for his murder.

Chester Crown Court heard on Monday that, as Johnny lay dying, one of the accused said he deserved it, because he was "only" a Gypsy.

The two accused boys, neither of whom can be named for legal reasons, were part of a group of local teens who became involved in a fight with a group from a travellers' site in Ellesmere Port.

Johnny, who lived at Tara, a halting site for travellers in Liverpool, was visiting friends when the attack took place.

Prosecuting, Christopher Vospa QC said he would argue a confrontation began when one of the defendants' group shouted racist abuse at a group of travellers on a playing field.

'Kicking and stamping'

The jury was told that after a "minor altercation", Johnny and his friends ran off.

As he was running away, Johnny fell to the ground.

Mr Vospa said: "When he was on the ground he was set upon by the two defendants."

He claimed both defendants kicked the teenager in the head, and in one case, one of them stamped on his head.

A 14-year-old girl who witnessed the attack said she saw one of the boys jumping on Johnny's head with both feet, Mr Vospa said.

He added a couple who were walking their dog on the playing field heard one of the defendants say he got what he deserved because he was a Gypsy.

Mr Vospa said in police interviews both defendants admitted kicking Johnny, but said they did not believe they had caused his death.

He told the jury they may well conclude the attack had racial undertones.

The case continues.