Eric Martin was hospitalized for nine days following the September incident. Photo:

Eric Martin was hospitalized for nine days following the September incident. Photo:

HENRICO, Va. — A Virginia teen is facing assault charges despite being brutally beaten in an altercation at his high school that left him hospitalized for nine days.

Eric Martin a student at Highland Springs High School in Henrico, Va., suffered a long list of injuries, including a head injury and a broken hand, according to his mother Mary Martin. “That’s not just a fight,” she said. “That’s a beating. That’s a vicious beating.”

But now, Eric must appear in court on two assault charges, reports WWBT-TV.

Eric’s mother admits Eric threw the first punch, but she says he was a victim of bullying. She says he is constantly being attacked with gay slurs. Details surrounding the incident that led to the beating have not been made publicly available.