GREENOCK: Yobs attack autistic boy

Yobs attack autistic boy

http://www.greenocktelegraph.co.uk/article.php?sec=1&id=10495

A SCHOOLBOY with special needs has been brutally assaulted by callous yobs in a Greenock Street.

The thugs cracked the autistic boy’s head open with a bottle only yards from his home in Florence Street, Greenock, on Sunday night.

The 16-year-old handed over the money he had to his attackers — a £1 coin — just before the frenzied assault.

His devastated mum, who didn’t want to be named, told the Tele: “It was my worst nightmare. He came running in moaning with his head covered in blood. It was running down his neck and his front.

“He needed nine stitches, but it could have been worse. If he’d turned round he would have got it in the face. He keeps looking at his head in the mirror. It’s a bad wound.”

The youngster has Asperger’s syndrome, which is a form of autism. His mum said he is usually a quiet boy who is wary of going out on his own.

His family had been encouraging him to be more independent and he was coming back from a rare trip to the shops at Barr’s Cottage with his younger brother when he was attacked.

His mum added: “He lacks confidence as it is, but this has really set him back and it’ll take a while for him to get over it.

“He says he doesn’t want to live in Greenock any more — he wants to live in the country.”

“I’m upset and angry. They’d already taken the money off him and they searched his jacket looking for a mobile but he’d left that at home.

“All this for the sake of a £1.

“I want to string them up for doing this to my son.”

The traumatised teenager, who attends St Stephen’s High in Port Glasgow, wouldn’t leave his bedroom after the ordeal and will be off school all week.

Sergeant Andy Wilkinson, of Greenock police, said: “A 16-year-old was seriously assaulted near Florence Street in Greenock at 7pm on Sunday.

“The two males responsible are aged between 16 and 20 and were wearing black hooded tops and black trousers.

“Police enquiries are continuing into the incident and we are appealing for anyone who saw anything to contact Greenock police on 492500 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”