Yobs pelt a disabled woman with f lour and post sick photo online
FOUR teenage boys have been arrested after a disabled woman was pelted with eggs and flour and a celebratory photo of the attack was posted online.
In the picture, yobs are seen smiling as they pose behind the woman, who is cowering on a park bench.
The image sparked outrage when it was posted on social media, allegedly by one of the gang.
People in the area claim the youths in the photo are part of a group who have been terrorising an estate in the Suffolk town of Bury St Edmunds for weeks.
It is understood the victim is in her 40s and suffers from severe mental health problems. One witness said she had a ‘breakdown’ and shouted at the youths, and they retaliated by throwing eggs and flour at her.
Suffolk police said she was left severely distressed but was not physically harmed during the incident on Friday. Four boys – two aged 17 and
‘They do drugs and drink alcohol’
two aged 15 – have been arrested and bailed pending further inquiries, police said.
Inspector Anthony Bridgland said: ‘This type of behaviour is totally unacceptable and we are treating the matter seriously.’
Andrew Willsher, 46, who lives and works in the area, claimed: ‘There are some boys who gather in the park and people avoid them because you know it will lead to trouble.’
One elderly resident said she avoided the park because the young people who met there were intimidating. She added: ‘They gather there and do drugs and drink alcohol. The real reason I carry this cane is for protection, in case one of them does something.’
Katherine Brame, a friend of the victim, said she had been to check on her and she was ‘safe’.
The boys cannot be identified but five names have been widely shared online, sparking fears of vigilante action against them. The father of one of the boys named slammed the door when approached yesterday.