Syrian victim says ‘thanks for everything’

A TEENAGE Syrian refugee who was filmed being attacked at school has told supporters “thanks for everything”.

The 15-year-old boy arrived with his father to talk to a small group of concerned people who had gathered outside his school in Huddersfield in West Yorkshire yesterday afternoon.

His father said he did not want to give interviews to waiting media but, as they left, the teenager just said “thanks for everything” before getting into a waiting car.

The footage allegedly shows the boy being attacked at Almondbury Community School and threatened with drowning, and has provoked widespread concern after being widely shared on social media sites on the internet.

An online appeal which has been set up to help the family topped £130,000 in just 24 hours.

The emergence of the video was followed by further footage of what was said to be the boy’s sister being physically abused at the same school.

A 16-year-old boy has been interviewed over the alleged attack on the boy, and reported for summons for an offence of assault ahead of a youth court appearance.

About 30 people gathered outside the school yesterday to meet the boy and his father, and a delegation then went inside for an hour-long meeting with headteacher Trevor Bowen.

Imam Mohammed Pandor said the meeting was “very productive”.

Mr Pandor, who is from Batley and described himself as a “concerned citizen”, said: “We are confident that the school is taking this case very seriously.”