Gang mugs balloonists

ELEVEN hot-air balloonists were mugged by a gang of teenagers yesterday when they landed on a playing field.

They attacked after watching the party land safely on the edge of a sprawling housing estate near Richmond in Sheffield.

The balloonists were ordered to hand over a camcorder and camera they were carrying. Brian Cartledge, a miner from Alfreton, Derbyshire, was hit with a bottle and suffered a broken nose when he refused to comply. Others clung to the camcorder and filmed their attackers.

Last night a boy of 16 was being questioned by police.