Two more arrests over vigilante gang attack (warning: graphic content)

Both men, who are aged 25 and 53, were held on suspicion of assault and blackmail.

They have been released on police bail pending further inquiries.

The assault and blackmail are alleged to have taken place in Wigan after two men were lured to locations in the borough believing they were meeting a 14-year-old girl.

A police report stated that a man was confronted by a group when he turned up to Wigan town centre expecting to meet a young girl.

He was attacked by the group, who filmed the incident on mobile phone.

The video was then posted on Facebook with the tag “NWI Nonce Busters” - believed to be a reference to right-wing group the North West Infidels.

Andrew O’Neill pleaded guilty yesterday to the charge of attempting to meet a girl under the age of 16 following grooming at Wigan and Leigh Magistrates’ Court.

He was arrested on Saturday after going to the police station with an allegation he had been attacked by a vigilante gang.

The court heard how the 25-year-old - formerly of Castlehey, Skelmersdale, now of no fixed address - contacted and communicated with somebody said to be called “Alex” via a dating website between April 11 and April 18.

O’Neill will be sentenced next month.