Schoolboy attacked by man after biscuit thrown at car (From St Helens Star)
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Schoolboy attacked by man after biscuit thrown at car
5:17pm Monday 10th December 2012 in News
A TEENAGER was assaulted by a man after a car was hit with a biscuit flung by a group of schoolboys, it has emerged.
The 13-year-old victim was walking along Burtonhead Road, towards The Shires estate with three friends all dressed in school uniform.
As they walked along the road one of the boys threw a biscuit into the road, which hit a car travelling in the opposite direction.
Two men got out and approached the boys and one hit the 13-year-old several times with his palm, knocking him to the ground.
The boy suffered a cut to the top of his head and bruising to his arms and wrist. He was left extremely shaken and was taken to hospital for treatment.
Police this week issued a belated witness appeal, following the incident, which happened at around 6.20pm on Thursday, November 1.
The offender is described as white, aged between 40 and 50, 6ft tall, with a stocky build and bald head. Her spoke with a local accent.
The other man is also white, aged between 20 and 30, 6ft tall and with a skinny build.
DC Dave Bruce said: “This was a frightening incident for the young boy who was clearly in his school uniform and was inexcusably attacked by an older man.
“We are keen to speak to anyone who witnessed the incident in case they have any information that could help the investigation.
“Offences of this nature are completely unacceptable and we appeal to the community to come forward with information so we can take action against the offender.”
Anyone with information is asked to call Merseyside Police on 0151 777 6075, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Comments(82)
pitbullboxing
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8:41pm Mon 10 Dec 12
derkdagger
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11:11pm Mon 10 Dec 12
smith&weston
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11:55pm Mon 10 Dec 12
Well done to the bloke who decided he wasn't going to be intimidated by these youths.
the dr who
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8:48am Tue 11 Dec 12
i hope they get the ar@ehole and send him down, the kid was in a school uniform, if it was a big bloke who threw it i bet he wouldnt have got out and attacked him, no chance he is a coward who knew he wasnt in any danger. shame on him
pitbullboxing
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8:58am Tue 11 Dec 12
CabbageSquam
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10:43am Tue 11 Dec 12
smith&weston
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10:44am Tue 11 Dec 12
jumper
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11:32am Tue 11 Dec 12
retro 1
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1:53pm Tue 11 Dec 12
norm
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2:42pm Tue 11 Dec 12
jumper
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4:20pm Tue 11 Dec 12
smith&weston
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7:03pm Tue 11 Dec 12
jumper
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8:01pm Tue 11 Dec 12
Speedysf
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8:34pm Tue 11 Dec 12
jumper
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9:10pm Tue 11 Dec 12
mummy1
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9:29pm Tue 11 Dec 12
blueyed26
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9:57pm Tue 11 Dec 12
blueyed26
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9:58pm Tue 11 Dec 12
moonman77
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11:33pm Tue 11 Dec 12
jumper
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8:54am Wed 12 Dec 12
Bill Bradbury
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9:15am Wed 12 Dec 12
Many teachers get objects thrown at them and foul abuse but are unable to do anything about it especially if they do the school has to admit it has got problems. Usually it's the teacher's fault for being so boring. I have witnessed lessons trashed by the antics of a few.
Speedysf- you make a fair point but by the time the police arrive, who are often overstretched the culprits would have legged it off probably with gestures and further abuse with the fact if the culprits were ever identified they would be let off with probably a free trip to Blackpool. How do I know? It's happened to me-police weren't interested-bigger fish to fry.
jumper
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4:00pm Wed 12 Dec 12
ollie70
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6:31pm Wed 12 Dec 12
smith&weston
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6:54pm Wed 12 Dec 12
jumper
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7:25pm Wed 12 Dec 12
peterxu
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8:12pm Wed 12 Dec 12
peterxu
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8:17pm Wed 12 Dec 12
ollie70 wrote:When you became old and was abused by these "boys" and you will know it.
A 13 year old boy throws a biscuit at a car and the majority of people on here think it's ok for a big man to lay into him? We don't know all the facts, but even if the silly boy had potentially caused an accident, the guy had no right to attack him so forcefully, or even lay a finger on him. If it'd been a 16-17 year old who'd thrown a stone or brick I could perhaps understand, but this was weigh out of proportion with the stupid act of throwing a biscuit into traffic.
jumper
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9:17pm Wed 12 Dec 12
mattmxl
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9:08am Thu 13 Dec 12
Upshot of all of this is, after what happened to him, the child will be less likely to behave in the way he did next time as a result of what happened to him this time. You can't commend somebody for attacking a child but in this case its probably taught him a more effective lesson than his school ever has.
You have to wonder what the mentality is of a human being (albeit a youngster) that would throw a projectile into oncoming traffic. Clearly an uneducated unemphatic one. Paying more attention in physics class in school would explain to him what would have happened, something he'd be wise to do in the rest of his subjects also. There's all sorts of help out there for those that can't learn stuff on their own these days!
Well done to the driver! His actions may just have prevented a more serious "accident" from occurring next time!
Sankey
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10:34am Thu 13 Dec 12
smith&weston
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11:33am Thu 13 Dec 12
jumper
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12:15pm Thu 13 Dec 12
peterxu
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2:32pm Thu 13 Dec 12
ollie70
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7:16pm Thu 13 Dec 12
jumper
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7:47pm Thu 13 Dec 12
rosered1
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8:48pm Thu 13 Dec 12
ollie70 wrote:Arent you jumping to conclusions that the youngster wasnt causing any threat?
A lot of assumptions are being made here. We do not know what happened here exactly. we don't know if there was nearly an accident, or if the driver knew it was a biscuit. The report says that the biscuit was thrown into the road, so it does not seem to have been thrown deliberately at a car. In any case, i would not have attacked a 13 year old kid. I'm also no fan of gangs of teenagers who hang around street corners and abuse passers' by, but we don't know if this group of kids fit that stereotype. Why do people automatically jump to conclusions?
pitbullboxing
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12:45am Fri 14 Dec 12
mattmxl
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8:41am Fri 14 Dec 12
pitbullboxing
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9:00am Fri 14 Dec 12
jumper
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10:28am Fri 14 Dec 12
pitbullboxing
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11:35am Fri 14 Dec 12
sthelenslass
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12:37pm Fri 14 Dec 12
Did I stop my car and ‘knock his teeth’ down the man’s throat? No I certainly didn’t because I am not a thug. If I stopped and got out of my car to beat up everyone, man, woman, child, dog or cat that posed a risk to my safety and others around me while not only would I have a very sore hand but half of St. Helens would have black eyes!
I understand the driver was angry, shook up and maybe frightened but he had no right to assault someone. Anyone. He even fetched his mate for back up…..what a big man!
And those that have mentioned that throwing the biscuit in the road could have had dire consequences, you’re right it could. Does that mean I can punch the gas fitter that didn’t service my gas fire correctly and it led to a gas leak. Could have blown my house up! I’ll just knee cap him eh?
I don’t post on here; I follow the debates with interest and had some respect for those that regularly post. I have a **** sight less now! You want to know where kids learn how to be violent? They get it from example.
jumper
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12:48pm Fri 14 Dec 12
jumper
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2:25pm Fri 14 Dec 12
pitbullboxing
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4:30pm Fri 14 Dec 12
ollie70
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6:08pm Fri 14 Dec 12
rosered1 wrote:No, I am quite obviously responding to those who made the assumption that this boy and his schoolmates were a gang of troublemakers. There is no evidence of this. Of course it is irresponsible to throw a biscuit into a road, but the man who attacked him is a cowardly thug. The is a fact. However, we can't and shouldn't draw any conclusions about the boy.
ollie70 wrote: A lot of assumptions are being made here. We do not know what happened here exactly. we don't know if there was nearly an accident, or if the driver knew it was a biscuit. The report says that the biscuit was thrown into the road, so it does not seem to have been thrown deliberately at a car. In any case, i would not have attacked a 13 year old kid. I'm also no fan of gangs of teenagers who hang around street corners and abuse passers' by, but we don't know if this group of kids fit that stereotype. Why do people automatically jump to conclusions?Arent you jumping to conclusions that the youngster wasnt causing any threat?
ollie70
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6:19pm Fri 14 Dec 12
sthelenslass
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6:24pm Fri 14 Dec 12
pitbullboxing wrote:Because obviously being not being laughed it is the most important thing here. It was road rage pure and simple. Stupid irresponsible child throws in the road and instead of acting like a sane adult human being the driver behaves like thug.
If he had gotten out of the car and given him a stern talking to he would have been laughed at. He took the right course of action , hopefully it will stop the little toe-rag from doing it to somebody else.
frankly
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8:19pm Fri 14 Dec 12
jumper
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8:48pm Fri 14 Dec 12
pitbullboxing
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9:37pm Fri 14 Dec 12
Austrian64
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10:40am Sat 15 Dec 12
Sankey
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12:51pm Sat 15 Dec 12
sthelenslass
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1:11pm Sat 15 Dec 12
Austrian64 wrote:Completely agree, no one disputes that the child was reckless and irresponsible, whether it was deliberate or not. And no one should dispute that the driver's violent behaviour is utterly unacceptable. I really do hope Sankey that the lad involved never does such a thing again. I also hope that's all he takes from this and not that it is acceptable to hit someone just because you lost your temper.
Quite a lot of violence over there in Britain. Bad enough, but even worse are the voices applauding it. If we start beating up anyone who annoys us, we will not survive the next generation. The reaction of the driver is as immature as the one of the schoolboy. The boy will have learnt one thing: violence pays. Next time he will carry a gun. You see where we will arrive soon?
ollie70
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1:16pm Sat 15 Dec 12
Austrian64 wrote:Yes it is true that Britain has a culture of violence, and St Helens is certainly no exception. Since i moved abroad (not far from Austria actually), the relative absence of violence, or at least the menace, is quite noticeable. No gangs of shaven-headed bodybuilders walking round town centre at night like they own the place, for example.
Quite a lot of violence over there in Britain. Bad enough, but even worse are the voices applauding it. If we start beating up anyone who annoys us, we will not survive the next generation. The reaction of the driver is as immature as the one of the schoolboy. The boy will have learnt one thing: violence pays. Next time he will carry a gun. You see where we will arrive soon?
ollie70
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1:24pm Sat 15 Dec 12
pitbullboxing
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1:48pm Sat 15 Dec 12
And this prejudice that you speak of is exactly the same as you "assuming" that everybody is an over 55 "penny dreadful".
jumper
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4:13pm Sat 15 Dec 12
CabbageSquam
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5:11pm Sat 15 Dec 12
jumper
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6:19pm Sat 15 Dec 12
moonman77
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6:50pm Sat 15 Dec 12
jumper
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9:34pm Sat 15 Dec 12
Bill Bradbury
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1:00pm Sun 16 Dec 12
I am totally with sankey,jumper and pittbull on this. Ollie would be writing a totally different kind of letter if the car had swerved and killed someone. The driver suddenly would turn from being the press description of "Thug" to victim and the police would be looking for as the press would say "some mindless morons". The press always puts a slant on incidents using sensational language as anyone who has studied Sociology would confirm.
Here is a true story from the 50's on a similar incident. Me and my pal found that loading a bike pump from our outside toilet made good waterpistols which we fired at, in those days, very few passing cars and vans A Rothery Radio Van (remember them?) came down and the driver had his window open-bulls-eye!! Van screetched to a halt driver got out and collared us both, his co-driver joined in-technically an assault but as we all know, not in those days when police could give us a slap.
We both got taken to our respective dads and we got a good hiding and gated for a week..
Moral we didn't do it again. However I still have a chuckle about it being a good Beano/Dandy "Splat!!"
As we "oldies" know how times have changed!
sthelenslass
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1:18pm Sun 16 Dec 12
Bill Bradbury wrote:Absolutely no one is disputing that the child involved wasn't stupid and reckless, or that the potential consequences could have been fatal. What is being disputed is the actions of a grown man losing his temper and lashing out in response.
Moonman you are spot on. The scenario you posted happened to me about 6 weeks ago. The incident died a death.
I am totally with sankey,jumper and pittbull on this. Ollie would be writing a totally different kind of letter if the car had swerved and killed someone. The driver suddenly would turn from being the press description of "Thug" to victim and the police would be looking for as the press would say "some mindless morons". The press always puts a slant on incidents using sensational language as anyone who has studied Sociology would confirm.
Here is a true story from the 50's on a similar incident. Me and my pal found that loading a bike pump from our outside toilet made good waterpistols which we fired at, in those days, very few passing cars and vans A Rothery Radio Van (remember them?) came down and the driver had his window open-bulls-eye!! Van screetched to a halt driver got out and collared us both, his co-driver joined in-technically an assault but as we all know, not in those days when police could give us a slap.
We both got taken to our respective dads and we got a good hiding and gated for a week..
Moral we didn't do it again. However I still have a chuckle about it being a good Beano/Dandy "Splat!!"
As we "oldies" know how times have changed!
It isn't an appropriate response Bill. It's assault. I've seen people post that he didn't go far enough 'should have knocked his teeth down his throat', 'its ok it could have been worse he could have abducted him''. Do those sound reasonable? Is that the kind of example to teach? Someone angers you knocking them around is ok? there's sadly plenty of kids learn that at home in domestic violence situations.
Personally I find it very worrying when I hear violence carried out in temper being justified like this. I really wouldn't want to get on the bad side of the driver or those justifying it as I might get a 'slap' I 'deserve'. I also notice he he isn't rushing to identify himself to the police to face the consequences. Child has owned up to a dangerous act and probably got a warning of the Police (not enough I know). So if the driver gave an appropriate response wasn't he standing up to indentify himself so you can call him a hero?
pitbullboxing
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1:24pm Sun 16 Dec 12
sthelenslass
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1:37pm Sun 16 Dec 12
pitbullboxing wrote:Stopped and got out, same as he did, probably screamed blue murder and and tell him what a idiot he was. Told him to stay where he was while I called the police. Ask for his name and address (depending on the kid I would either get it or abuse!). This is where I would get into trouble. I'd have taken his photo. Just in case the police wouldn't come out quickly (which more than likely wouldn't). He had a school uniform on so you would at least know where he went to school and with photo what he looked like.
So tell us love , what would you do yourself? Or what would you have the driver do?
What the police do after that is up to them. That's where we get let down. I could go on a whole new rant about the law being an **** and it isn't tough enough.
I don't care if I get laughed at for not being the hard man and lashing out. My ego really doesn't need the boost. Violence should ways be a last resort.
kjd161
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1:48pm Sun 16 Dec 12
jumper wrote:Jumper. Have you been taking illegal substances? What the hell are you on about?
Just hope your not in the house,people are saying stop being a ars,., and eat what you have got are send it to the food bank, not what could cause a terrible accident.
kjd161
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1:49pm Sun 16 Dec 12
sthelenslass wrote:Calm down love. Have a cuppa - and a nice biscuit.
Throwing any object in the road is dangerous. This includes not only people how throw from the side of the road but those that throw things out of their car windows. Or even irresponsible truck and lorry drivers that don’t secure their loads properly and they should be appropriately dealt with. Charged or fined. It happened to me and it was very frightening.
Did I stop my car and ‘knock his teeth’ down the man’s throat? No I certainly didn’t because I am not a thug. If I stopped and got out of my car to beat up everyone, man, woman, child, dog or cat that posed a risk to my safety and others around me while not only would I have a very sore hand but half of St. Helens would have black eyes!
I understand the driver was angry, shook up and maybe frightened but he had no right to assault someone. Anyone. He even fetched his mate for back up…..what a big man!
And those that have mentioned that throwing the biscuit in the road could have had dire consequences, you’re right it could. Does that mean I can punch the gas fitter that didn’t service my gas fire correctly and it led to a gas leak. Could have blown my house up! I’ll just knee cap him eh?
I don’t post on here; I follow the debates with interest and had some respect for those that regularly post. I have a **** sight less now! You want to know where kids learn how to be violent? They get it from example.
jumper
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4:13pm Sun 16 Dec 12
pitbullboxing
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6:16pm Sun 16 Dec 12
ollie70
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7:34pm Sun 16 Dec 12
pitbullboxing wrote:Of course there can be a minority in every town. It is certainly not the majority of kids who go round in gangs causing fear and mayhem. A 'sizeable majority' is for example 70-80%. I hardly think this proportion is involved in such wrong-doing. My assumption as to the ages of people on this forum is based on some logic. I was stating that the fear of crime, which is out of proportion with the reality (as in the penny dreadfuls), is more prevalent among older people. Furthermore, most victims of crime are young men.
I'm 37. How can it be a minority if it's in every town? I respect your opinion , but frankly I could take you to places and show you children no older than 13 that would make you wet your pants. The minority you speak of is a very sizeable majority. And this prejudice that you speak of is exactly the same as you "assuming" that everybody is an over 55 "penny dreadful".
sthelenslass
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7:50pm Sun 16 Dec 12
pitbullboxing wrote:No he certainly shouldn't as I said in an early post it happened to me and it was terrifying. It was one of the rotten winters with dangerous icy roads and snow ball hit windscreen.
Well for a start screaming at somebody depending on what's said and taking a school child's photo would probably land you in hot water. I do see where your coming from however. But I also still stand by what I said earlier. The whole point of this for me is - if he hadn't have thrown anything nothing would have happened.
ollie70
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7:53pm Sun 16 Dec 12
jumper
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8:51pm Sun 16 Dec 12
pitbullboxing
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9:22pm Sun 16 Dec 12
CabbageSquam
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10:04pm Sun 16 Dec 12
No one dare say anything to kids these days, and those men who got out to confront those kids like sthelenslass suggested and for all any of us know could of been harassed by the rest of the gang to the point they grabbed one to make an example in fear. I could tell you a whole bunch of stories where someone has acted out in fear of thugs who started the whole mess, why should they drive off and let them thugs think its okay to throw things at cars? What if next time it's a brick? What if that time there was an old man or woman who suffered an heartattack in sheer shock? You can never measure the repercussions of what you do and so people need to fear the law/parents/people giving them a smack to stop them doing silly things.
The police wouldn't of give a flying poo if these full grown men went in and said a biscuit had been thrown at the car and no accident was caused, but the point is it could of been worse. And those kids need a good slap, yes a SLAP! I will be slapping my children as and when I see fit, not in an abusive way but to teach them right from wrong. I know words aren't enough, trust me, I was a child once!
sthelenslass
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10:09pm Sun 16 Dec 12
CabbageSquam wrote:We were all a child once, and I'm guessing we all got a smacked backside. How a parent raises their child in terms of using smacking is entirely their business. I'm certainly not opposed to it. It's completely different in this situation. And if it was an adult that threw the biscuit I would have the same opinion. Just because it was a child doesn't make it acceptable to hit him.
Well if all you silly people didn't think it was okay for kids to do as they please and never get a swift slap then we wouldn't be seeing this on a daily basis.
No one dare say anything to kids these days, and those men who got out to confront those kids like sthelenslass suggested and for all any of us know could of been harassed by the rest of the gang to the point they grabbed one to make an example in fear. I could tell you a whole bunch of stories where someone has acted out in fear of thugs who started the whole mess, why should they drive off and let them thugs think its okay to throw things at cars? What if next time it's a brick? What if that time there was an old man or woman who suffered an heartattack in sheer shock? You can never measure the repercussions of what you do and so people need to fear the law/parents/people giving them a smack to stop them doing silly things.
The police wouldn't of give a flying poo if these full grown men went in and said a biscuit had been thrown at the car and no accident was caused, but the point is it could of been worse. And those kids need a good slap, yes a SLAP! I will be slapping my children as and when I see fit, not in an abusive way but to teach them right from wrong. I know words aren't enough, trust me, I was a child once!
CabbageSquam
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10:27pm Sun 16 Dec 12
sthelenslass
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10:37pm Sun 16 Dec 12
CabbageSquam wrote:I am grasping the situation. I have never disputed it was dangerous. I didn't make the assumption that the child was from the type of environment you describe and make judgements nor did I make the assumption that the driver was a violent wife beating thug. I do not think violence is an acceptable response just because a person loses their temper, towards anyone. I doubt either side will agree on this and it's always good to debate issues. The one thing I've seen everyone agree on is throwing anything onto the road like this is dangerous whether its a child, or in my case adults. There needs to be a tougher stance taken on this by the police.
It does, he needs to learn and his parents aren't learning him. They're probably sat in the pub all day collecting their benefits fortnightly! The government and law says it's not okay to smack your child. And I disagree, look what we have on our hands today because of such a silly rule. You're not quite grasping the situation, he threw a biscuit, it could of been anything, and did the driver even know what hit the car? I think he reacted fairly and I would like to say maybe I would be angry if my child was roughed up by an older man for doing such a silly thing but then I'd hope my child wouldn't be so lawless and pathetic. I'm glad he got a slap or two and maybe next time he won't be so fast to do dangerous things!!!
CabbageSquam
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10:42pm Sun 16 Dec 12
jumper
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11:43am Mon 17 Dec 12
jumper says...
8:11pm Mon 10 Dec 12