Boy, 14, ‘kicked and mocked over death of his mum’
A TEENAGER was “mocked” and “kicked” after two boys allegedly attacked him and tormented him about his mother a day after her funeral.
Zander Nelms, 14, from Pencoed, was walking locally with a friend on Thursday, March 25, when two boys are said to have followed him, taunted him about his mother’s recent death, and broken his new glasses.
The day before the incident Zander had attended the funeral of his mother, 32-year-old Leah Flewers, who died earlier this month after battling an illness for a number of years.
Zander’s aunt, Sophie Evans, 29, said the teenager had spent the few years leading up to the tragedy as his mum’s main carer and said what happened was “disgusting” given what he’s been through.
Speaking about Leah, bereaved sister Sophie said: “She had been ill for a long time but got progressively worse within the last two years. Zander was actually her main carer. She was diagnosed with diabetes from a young age and it led to her kidneys failing. She was on dialysis.”
Sophie said even though Zander was the main carer he did have a “good network” of people around him. Leah’s husband, from whom she was separated, helped Zander and spent more time with them when his mum became very unwell. She died on March 5.
“We buried Leah on the Wednesday and it happened on the following day,” added Sophie.
As well as causing marks to his face, the incident was said to have left Zander with broken glasses. The glasses were practically new.
Sophie added: “He only just got a new pair of glasses. He had new glasses for all of two to three days.
“He bottles everything up. He’s probably more upset when he’s on his own.
“The day of the funeral he was just asking how everyone is.”
When asked if Zander had ever had issues with bullying before, Sophie said: “I think his friend who he was with had problems with the boys before, and they were trying to attack his friend. Zander stuck up for his friend and they attacked Zander.
“They started to mock him because his mum had died. They were mocking him for it. There are videos of them lying on top of him on the floor. One boy filmed it. They kicked him in the face and got on top of Zander and started punching him.
“He was more upset that they talked about his mum.”
Sophie said in the video the boys appeared to be following Zander and his friend as they attempted to run away. She said it appeared they just happened to be in the same area at around 4.15pm on Thursday when the incident unfolded.
His worried aunt said: “His face is scrammed and he has marks on his face. He has already gone through so much pain – I just couldn’t believe it. I can’t believe someone would be so disgusting.”
Since the incident took place, a fundraising page has been set up for Zander to show that “people care” and that not all people are unkind.
It’s hoped the money raised will help Zander to buy a new pair of glasses and to help him with his future. In a matter of days £2,500 has already been raised.
When asked what it’s been like to see such an outpouring of love from the community, Sophie said: “Overwhelming – I actually can’t believe so many people are saying so many nice things to Zander. I didn’t expect such a response.”
South Wales Police has been asked if the force has any further information about the alleged incident.
■ To learn more about the fundraiser and to make a donation, visit the GoFundMe page.