Nadine Osman

A 13-year-old of Syrian descent was repeatedly and viciously kicked in the head by a gang of older teens during a brutal race hate attack that left him hospitalised in North Manchester General Hospital. Police are investigating the incident as a racially aggravated assault, which took place in Plant Hill Park, Blackley, on the evening of June 24. The child suffered severe swelling to the right side of his face, with a bruise on his cheek and lip.

Six youths, all white, reportedly circled their young victim in a north Manchester park before asking ‘Are you a P***?’ then battering him. The victim eventually managed to get to a friend’s house nearby and adults there alerted his parents.

In an interview with Manchester Evening News, the boy’s father said, “My son had gone to play there with two white friends. Then a group of kids have gathered around him. One has asked ‘Are you a P***?’. Before he could answer he was pushed to the ground and they started kicking him in the head. He managed to put his arms around his head for some protection. They kept kicking him until two of them broke it up realising they had gone too far. His two friends ran off because they were so scared. But one of them was knocking on doors trying to get help.”

He added, “There were no other injuries on his body – just his head. I think they intended to kill him. I don’t understand the culture behind this. The attackers must have been brought up in homes based on hatred. It is despicable what they did to him. My aim is for the perpetrators to be identified and charges brought against them.”

His father added the council needs to improve security including adding CCTV in the park. “The park is for the community not for gangs. I have lived in this country for 20 years. My son was born here. We have received a card and flowers from neighbours. We are part of this community. They are sad, sick people who have done this.”

The child’s mother said: “He is shaking and remains in pain. He has gone very quiet and does not want to talk about it. He is normally a very friendly boy.”

A Greater Manchester Police spokesman said: “Hate crime will not be tolerated on the streets of Greater Manchester and it is important that people report any incidents so that they can be investigated.”