Boys assaulted by nine men

Published Monday, 22 October 2012
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The father of a boy who was beaten up by a gang of nine men in Dundonald at the weekend has said his son and friend were subjected to a horrific attack.

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The boys, aged 13 and 14, were jumped when the gang got out of three cars, which pulled up close to the entrance of Moat Park at around 10pm on Saturday.

The man, who wants to remain anonymous, said the boys were walking home from the Ice Bowl when the attack happened.

It only ended when a woman who was driving by saw the gang kicking the boys and got out of her car and walked towards them.

The father said the woman told him she saw a group of men who "looked like they were drunk and fighting".

"She said she looked in her mirror and seen this hoody come up and [it was] a young child. She said there was eight men around beating this child," the man told UTV.

She rang the boy's father at his home on Sunday and told him she could not sleep the whole weekend, because of what she had seen.

"The beating they were giving those fellas for no apparent reason whatsoever, there was no justification," he said.

Eight at one time kicking my son, and she was describing it and I told her I didn't want to hear anymore. I'm already horrified from what I've heard.

Victim's father

The man said his son was "too terrified" to leave the house on Sunday to go to the hospital, but his wrist was damaged in the beating, and he has bruises to his head and body.

Police investigating the attack said they are following all lines of inquiry. The father said he has no idea why his son and his friend were targeted.

"They're good children, they're quiet children, they don't bother with people, they just keep to their own wee group. I can't understand why somebody would pull up and start to attack them," he said.

One of the men is described as being in his mid 20s, 5'9" tall, with short cropped hair. He had red and black tattoos on both arms and was wearing light grey tracksuit bottoms and possibly a tank top.

Ulster Unionist MLA Michael Copeland said the gang who beat the victims were aged between 25 and 35 years old.

"This took place within very close proximity to the former police station in Dundonald. Needless to say the young people are injured, traumatised and fearful.

"I would pay tribute to the publicly spirited bravery of a passing female motorist whose intervention shortened the duration of this shameful incident."

Anyone with information about the attack is asked to contact police

© UTV News
Comments Comments
7 Comments
Anonymous in Belfast wrote (212 days ago):
A lot of cars left the ice bowl on saturday but who is to say it was people at the ice bowl but lets not rule it out. Im surprised these young lads were attacked but it could have been the same youngsters that were throwing fireworks at vehicles im that area
Steffan in Belfast wrote (213 days ago):
I moved to Dundonald last year and its a lovely neighbourhood. I live very close to where the attack happened and was stunned to hear about it. I'm sure the kids are traumatised but hope they can get over this and it doesn't affect them for too long. I hope the cowards who attacked them are briught to justice and a judge shows no leniency. Attacking anyone is wrong, attacking defenceless children is unforgiveable.
Anonymous in belfast wrote (214 days ago):
I Seen About 7 Cars Leaving The Ice Bowl that night this must of happened after 10 because I got to the Mcdonalds At About 10:15
Nialas in Belfast wrote (214 days ago):
Wow, those grown men must have been really afraid of those 14 year old kids if they needed three car loads to take them on....
Debbie in belfast wrote (214 days ago):
Pure scum! what sort of adults beat young people? I hope they get caught and soon! Get well soon boys and dont be afraid
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