Trev
06-04-2005, 07:20 AM
http://www.smh.com.au/news/World/Police-qu...l?oneclick=true (http://www.smh.com.au/news/World/Police-question-kids-for-trying-to-lynch-boy-12/2005/06/03/1117568376579.html?oneclick=true)
British police have been questioning a 12-year-old girl arrested on suspicion of trying to murder a five-year-old boy, as his distressed mother made a passionate appeal for witnesses to come forward.
Anthony Hinchliffe was found wandering alone and distressed with ligature marks around his neck and bruising to his body near woodland known as Devil's Ditch in Dewsbury, northern England, prompting speculation that someone had tried to hang him.
Media commentators said the incident bore "chilling similarities" to the 1993 murder of Merseyside toddler James Bulger, who was led away by two 10-year-old boys while waiting for his mother outside a shop.
Hinchcliffe's family suspects the boy, described as a "very active lad" with lots of friends, was taken from the family's garden to the woodlands where the incident took place on Tuesday afternoon. He was found by his 22-year-old cousin, Tracey Jones, wandering 180 metres from his home.
Ms Jones, who had been helping Ms Brown, a single mother, and friends look for him, said: "When he saw me he burst into tears. He was shaken and dazed.
"When I asked what had happened, he said, 'Some boys and girls tied a rope around my neck and tried to tie me to a tree.
"I asked, 'Why did you go with them?' and he said, 'They wouldn't let me go."'
Anthony had scratches on his arms and a bright red rope mark and bruises around his neck.
Ms Jones took him home to his mother, who went to the home of the 12-year-old girl, but neither she nor her father was in. She then telephoned the police.
Miss Brown has four other children, Zoe, 12, Patrick, 10, Chloe, seven, and Michaela, who is 18 months.
"Terri was hysterical," Ms Jones said. "Anthony is normally a happy, bubbly child and does as he is told. He was enjoying the holidays and the sunshine. He was taken from the garden. It was just like Jamie Bulger."
His mother, Terry Brown, urged anyone with information to come forward. "This has been a very distressing time for both myself and my family," Ms Brown said.
"One of my main concerns, now that I have Anthony back with me, is for anyone who has any information that can help the police to come forward and get in touch."
Police originally arrested five children - two girls and three boys, all aged between 11 and 12. None of them were related to the victim but all were said to be from the area.
The 12-year-old girl had been freed earlier on Thursday after magistrates refused to grant police extra time to question her. But hours later she was rearrested and taken to Dewsbury police station.
A boy and girl, both aged 11, were released on Thursday and two 12-year-old boys were freed from custody on Wednesday. They were all released without charge.
Anthony was discharged from hospital on Wednesday after treatment. Detectives said they were still trying to trace two or three other suspects.
"Clearly, it will be a painstaking account that will be taken from him, covering all aspects in relation to how he ended being in the location he was found and what has taken place," Detective Superintendent Andy Brennan said.
Reuters, Telegraph, London
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
What the hell is going on with kids these days…How the hell could they do such a thing?
I find it distressing just trying imagine what that poor boy must have gone through :(
British police have been questioning a 12-year-old girl arrested on suspicion of trying to murder a five-year-old boy, as his distressed mother made a passionate appeal for witnesses to come forward.
Anthony Hinchliffe was found wandering alone and distressed with ligature marks around his neck and bruising to his body near woodland known as Devil's Ditch in Dewsbury, northern England, prompting speculation that someone had tried to hang him.
Media commentators said the incident bore "chilling similarities" to the 1993 murder of Merseyside toddler James Bulger, who was led away by two 10-year-old boys while waiting for his mother outside a shop.
Hinchcliffe's family suspects the boy, described as a "very active lad" with lots of friends, was taken from the family's garden to the woodlands where the incident took place on Tuesday afternoon. He was found by his 22-year-old cousin, Tracey Jones, wandering 180 metres from his home.
Ms Jones, who had been helping Ms Brown, a single mother, and friends look for him, said: "When he saw me he burst into tears. He was shaken and dazed.
"When I asked what had happened, he said, 'Some boys and girls tied a rope around my neck and tried to tie me to a tree.
"I asked, 'Why did you go with them?' and he said, 'They wouldn't let me go."'
Anthony had scratches on his arms and a bright red rope mark and bruises around his neck.
Ms Jones took him home to his mother, who went to the home of the 12-year-old girl, but neither she nor her father was in. She then telephoned the police.
Miss Brown has four other children, Zoe, 12, Patrick, 10, Chloe, seven, and Michaela, who is 18 months.
"Terri was hysterical," Ms Jones said. "Anthony is normally a happy, bubbly child and does as he is told. He was enjoying the holidays and the sunshine. He was taken from the garden. It was just like Jamie Bulger."
His mother, Terry Brown, urged anyone with information to come forward. "This has been a very distressing time for both myself and my family," Ms Brown said.
"One of my main concerns, now that I have Anthony back with me, is for anyone who has any information that can help the police to come forward and get in touch."
Police originally arrested five children - two girls and three boys, all aged between 11 and 12. None of them were related to the victim but all were said to be from the area.
The 12-year-old girl had been freed earlier on Thursday after magistrates refused to grant police extra time to question her. But hours later she was rearrested and taken to Dewsbury police station.
A boy and girl, both aged 11, were released on Thursday and two 12-year-old boys were freed from custody on Wednesday. They were all released without charge.
Anthony was discharged from hospital on Wednesday after treatment. Detectives said they were still trying to trace two or three other suspects.
"Clearly, it will be a painstaking account that will be taken from him, covering all aspects in relation to how he ended being in the location he was found and what has taken place," Detective Superintendent Andy Brennan said.
Reuters, Telegraph, London
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
What the hell is going on with kids these days…How the hell could they do such a thing?
I find it distressing just trying imagine what that poor boy must have gone through :(