Teenager to be charged over attack on 15-year-old Syrian refugee at Huddersfield school

A 16-year-old boy is to be charged with assault following an attack on a Syrian refugee at a school in Huddersfield.

It comes after a video posted on social media went viral following an incident in Almondbury.

West Yorkshire Police said: “Regarding the assault on a 15-year-old youth in Almondbury, which featured in a video posted on social media yesterday and has been widely reported in the media, a 16-year-old youth has been interviewed and reported for summons, for an offence of assault.

“He will appear at Youth Court in due course.”

The 15-year-old has said he no longer feels safe studying at Almondbury Community School after his ordeal.

He told ITV: “I woke up at night and just started crying about this problem. They think I’m different – different from them.

“I don’t feel safe at school. Sometimes I say to my dad, ‘I don’t want to go to school anymore’.”

It comes as footage emerged of what was said to be the 15-year-old victim’s sister also being abused at the school.

The family’s lawyer Tasnime Akunjee said the 14-year-old girl, who was wearing a hijab, was attacked on Tuesday morning.

Officers said the incident involving the Syrian boy took place on 25 October and had been subject to a “thorough investigation” after it was reported to police the following day.

They said the victim and his family were “receiving ongoing support from police and other agencies”.

The statement added: “A previous unconnected incident on 7 October, in which the victim suffered a wrist injury, was also fully investigated at the time.

“Three youths were interviewed. There was no further police action and the matter was referred to the school.”

Almondbury Community School headteacher Trevor Bowen sent a letter to parents on Wednesday, saying “the safety and welfare of students is our number one priority” and that the school did not tolerate “unacceptable behaviour of any sort”.

“I can assure you that this situation is being taken extremely seriously,” he wrote.

“The matter is subject to an ongoing police investigation and, as I am sure you understand, we must be guided by the authorities in the amount of detail we are able to provide. However, I can confirm we are working with the police to support their enquiries.”

He added: “I can also assure you that we are working very hard to ensure it is ‘business as usual’ across the school and that there is no disruption to the children’s education. The wellbeing of students is of paramount importance to us and a high level of support is available to anyone who may need it.”

After the video went viral, wellwishers set up a crowdfunding page for the victim, which received £50,000 in donations in a day.

(c) Sky News 2018: Teenager to be charged over attack on 15-year-old Syrian refugee at Huddersfield school