Mum’s thanks after fundraisers replace son’s stolen money
AUTISTIC TEENAGER HAD CHRISTMAS CASH TAKEN IN KNIFEPOINT MUGGING
A FUNDRAISING page set up for an autistic boy who was robbed and beaten at knifepoint has so far raised almost £600.
Harry was cruelly attacked while walking through Parr Fold Park in Walkden last Tuesday.
The 16-year-old was approached by two men who punched him in the face and threatened him with a kitchen knife.
The men, described as being around 18 and wearing grey and black hoodies, demanded he hand over his cash.
Harry was carrying £350 at the time of the attack. It had been his birthday and Christmas money.
The incident left him in tears. A fundraiser was set up to help replace the stolen money. So far, it has raised £592.
Harry’s mum Lisa, who feared her son could have been killed in the attack, said: “I just wanted to say a huge thank you to the kindness we’ve been shown. There are some lovely people out there amongst the bad.”
Harry, who didn’t want to give his surname, described the attackers as being around 18 years old, with one wearing a grey hoodie and another wearing a black hoodie.
They were both wearing black face masks at the time.
The following day, a group matching the same description robbed a 17-year-old of his money in the same park.
Matthew Bennett was walking with his friend when three teenagers approached them at around 4.30pm on Wednesday, January 6.
The men asked them where they were from before each pulling out a knife. They then told the boys to empty their pockets.
Matthew, a student at Bolton College, handed over his wallet containing his Christmas money inside, totalling around £300.
His mother, Mary Bennett, said her son has not left the house since the terrifying ordeal.
She told the M.E.N: “He said one had a knife at his friend and the others had two knives at him.
“He’s 17 years old, I think it’s hurt his pride more than anything. He’s shaken up saying ‘I should have done this; I should have done that’.
“He hasn’t been outside since.” Matthew said two of the attackers wore black tracksuits with hoods. They were both wearing masks too.
The third man wore a grey tracksuit with a hood and had a shaved head.
The incidents weren’t the only attacks to happen in Parr Fold Park that week.
At around 4.50pm on January 5, a teenager was assaulted on the cycle path and had his headphones stolen.
Police say a 33-year-old woman also
had her blue mountain bike stolen from her while in the park on Friday.
Officers say the thugs arrived on a moped and a bike and fled in the direction of Walkden Road.
Inspector Katie-Louise Allen, of GMP’s Salford district, said: “It’s extremely disappointing to receive these reports in a time where people are simply trying to enjoy the fresh air in a local park during a nationwide lockdown. We’re aware that local residents are planning to attend the park to conduct their own patrols and though we appreciate their concerns and it’s with the best intentions, I would strongly advise against this for the sake of our on-going investigation and their safety.
“An investigation into these robberies is on-going and I would ask anyone with information to get in touch as any information may assist with our enquiries.”
Anyone with information should call 0161 856 5429/5285/5283 or email: SalfordNorthWest@gmp.pnn.police.uk.