Syrian refugee pupil ‘attacked by bully’ thanks supporters
THE Syrian schoolboy at the centre of a bullying row yesterday thanked the public for their support as police faced questions about the speed of their investigation.
Footage that went viral showing 15-year-old Jamal apparently being assaulted at Almondbury Community School in Huddersfield has led to a criminal charge against one boy.
It is alleged the refugee and his younger sister have been targeted by bullies since settling in the UK in 2016 and the boy’s family are prepared to sue the school and Kirklees council for compensation if evidence of safeguarding failures are found. Yesterday, protesters gathered outside the school in a show of support for the refugee. Arriving with his father, the teenager told supporters: “Thanks for everything.”
Last night the refugee also said he did not want any violence aimed at the bully. “I just don’t want anything bad to happen to anyone,” Jamal told the Huffpost UK news website.
Concern was raised that the police investigation only seemed to gather momentum once the clip, filmed on Oct 25, went viral several days ago.
West Yorkshire Police said it received a complaint on Oct 26, leading to the 16-year-old suspect to be reported for summons this week. Mirban Aslam, 41, who organised the protest, added: “Charging him yesterday morning, they [the police] think nobody is going to say anything but we want it to be investigated. What are the issues? Why has it taken so long?”
In response, the force issued a statement setting out action taken. The boy first contacted police about a separate incident in the playground on Oct 7, which resulted in a wrist injury. Three boys were interviewed by police, but no charges followed.
Officers first interviewed the suspect for the Oct 25 attack on Nov 6, after which the case was reviewed, and further action recommended. It was also confirmed detectives were investigating a “public order offence” involving the schoolboy’s 14-year-old sister, after a separate video emerged of her being assaulted at school. “This incident has been treated very seriously by all those involved and has been swiftly investigated,” the force said.
Last night Tasnime Akunjee, the family’s lawyer, told The Daily Telegraph that legal action was being prepared against the far-right activist Tommy Robinson over allegations he made on social media. He alleged the teenager was targeted after an attack on a schoolgirl, in which he claimed the suspect was involved. Mr Akunjee said the activist, real name Stephen Yaxleylennon, had defamed the schoolboy.