POLICE have issued a statement after an autistic 14-year-old boy was attacked in a popular park in Chard, leaving him needing hospital treatment.
On July 22, Avon and Somerset Police confirmed they interviewed three children following an assault on a boy in Chard earlier this month.
Zachary Scriven, from Yeovil, was attacked and partially filmed at Jocelyn Park on Saturday, July 4 while visiting the town to see his grandparents and a friend.
Video footage of the incident was posted online of the attack which has been seen by the team at the County Gazette showing a group of teenage boys kicking, hitting, punching and strangling Zachary.
Ms Natalie Scriven, Zachary’s mother, said: "They got him on the floor and strangled him, and he lost consciousness.
"He came back around and went to leg it, and they tackled him to the floor and did it again and kicked him on the head and in the back.
"I am not one of these mums who is going to let this slide.
"They nearly killed my son."
Another member of Zachary’s family said the incident has caused ‘irreversible trauma’ to the family and that they hope the perpetrators realise the consequences of their actions.
According to Ms Scriven, Zachary has been left with a hairline fracture on his wrist, bruising, and damage to his throat.
A spokesperson for the Avon and Somerset Police said: “Three children have attended a voluntary police interview following an assault on a boy in Chard earlier this month.
“The incident took place in the vicinity of Jocelyn Park.”
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Police have confirmed that officers attended the boy’s home address and spoke with him and his family about the incident and the support services available.
They have also requested that people consider the potential impact on Zachary and his family of sharing the video more widely on social media.
The police spokesperson said: “Officers have attended the boy's home address and spoken to him and his family about the incident and support services that are available.
“We are aware there is video footage of this incident online and, out of consideration for the boy's welfare, we would ask people to consider the potential impact of sharing it more widely on social media.
“Our enquiries continue.”
Tracey Banks has launched a GoFundMe campaign to support the teenager and his family as he recovers.
To support the fundraiser, click here.
Ms Banks said: "I saw the footage that has been shared, and I have had my own experiences with bullying, both as a parent and as a child myself, but more prominently as a parent, I was so deeply saddened to see such violence between children.
"I was able to empathise with what had happened, and I wanted to do something nice for Zach to show that the community do care and there are still nice people."
So far, the fundraiser has raised £1,075 of the £1.2k target and is to support Zachary, who loves superheroes and comics, in attending a Comic Con event.
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