Stab son threat by thug who beat dad
Gang’s rein of terror against a family in fear
The ringleader of a violent teenage gang who left a dad-of-three battered and bruised have threatened to stab his 14-year-old son.
Last week the Wishaw Press reported how Gerard Patchett was beaten up on his doorstep by out- of- control youths over alleged unpaid drug debts ran up by his 15- year- old autistic son. Now his partner Sharon Barrett said how their 14-year-old son and his friend have been threatened at school because she spoke out last week about the family living in fear of the youths.
Days after we published the story, Sharon said her 14-year-old son was threatened at school by the same people responsible for beating up his dad.
And someone also inscribed the boy’s name on a classroom door and called him a grass.
Sharon said: “It’s just one thing after another. My son’s can’t even go to school without getting hassle.
“The ringleader of these teenagers threatened to stab my son and his friend because we spoke out. It’s terrifying.
“Someone also inscribed his name on a classroom door and called him a grass. This is not the first time this has happened, he’s been bullied and assaulted by them in the past.
“I’ve alerted the school and contacted the police again but nothing has changed.
“I’ve been told by the police that something is going to be done to stop this but I’ve yet to hear of anything happening. They need to sort this problem out fast.”
A council spokesman said they had a zero tolerance approach to bullying in schools.
“Our anti- bullying in schools policy aims to increase the effectiveness of preventative practice, to raise awareness of the cause and effect of bullying and to offer guidance on dealing with bullying,” he added.
“We provide ongoing support and training to staff about all bullying issues and methods of dealing with bullying incidents.”
Gerard sustained a concussion, severe bruising and swelling to his left eye after four teenagers subjected him to a violent attack when they turned up outside the family’s home on April 15.
Sharon claims the violent assault was the first of many disturbances at the family home in South Calder Way, Newmains.
She said the teenagers responsible along with a few of their parents turned up at the Barrett