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Abertillery boy who lost a finger ‘fleeing bullies’ moves to England

25 Jun 2022 2 minute read
Family handout photo of Raheem Bailey, 11, who had his finger amputated.

A boy who lost a finger as he reportedly ran away from bullies has moved away from the area where the incident happened, his mother has said.

Raheem Bailey was allegedly attacked by a group of children at his school in Abertillery, and was beaten then kicked after being pushed to the ground.

Raheem’s mother Shantal said he made a desperate attempt to leave the school grounds but got his right-hand ring finger caught while climbing a fence, causing a severe injury.

He underwent six hours of surgery to save his finger but it was unsuccessful.

Confirming the family have moved to England, Shantal Bailey told the Times, her son was relieved to be moving away from the area and had faced “racial and physical abuse” since he started secondary school at Abertillery Learning Community in September 2021.

In an interview with the BBC, she added: “It seems like he has constantly been bullied… He has always been at least name-called and mocked for his height.”

“Each day he had to build himself up to go in because he knew he was going to get picked on… That’s painful, that a child has to almost prepare themselves before going into a place that’s meant to be safe and tranquil.”

Investigation

Following the incident last month, Blaenau Gwent Council said: “Abertillery Learning Community is working with Gwent Police in relation to an ongoing investigation into an alleged assault on the secondary campus.”

The council added: “The safety and well-being of all learners and staff remains paramount. We have continued to closely monitor and review the situation.”

Boxer Anthony Joshua and footballer Jadon Sancho were among those who sent messages of support to Raheem following the incident

Football manager Chris Hughton, pundit Gary Neville and Olympic BMX biker Kye Whyte also contacted Raheem to wish him well, and US basketball player Gerald Green, who forged a hugely successful career with nine fingers, set up a call to speak to Raheem directly.

Shantal’s fundraising campaign following the amputation of Raheem’s finger raised over £107,000 in donations towards treatment, and she is now hoping he can have a prosthetic finger fitted.


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Cathy Jones
Cathy Jones
1 year ago

What a disgusting thing to have happened! I hope that the vile people that raised the savages that partook in that wickedness are found and brought to account alongside their scumbag children. They embarrass all of us in Cymru, they are a shame on our country. Disgusting, absolutely grotesque behaviour. When we talk about Cymru, when we talk about independence we must keep in mind that we must not create a Welsh version of England, to truly want independence from The English Establishment System you must rid yourself of their ways, of their ideologies of racialism and hatred to those… Read more »

David Chleenoss
David Chleenoss
1 year ago
Reply to  Cathy Jones

Enough with the incoherent pontificating.

The only thing this story has to do with England is that a black child was maimed by Welsh racist children and needed to move there.

Racist. Welsh. Children.

It has nothing to do with England on any other level.

Aren’t you the one who said Welsh children should be urine and faeces in chip shops?

Not My Real Name
Not My Real Name
1 year ago

I remember you. Interesting new name. The “have the guts to post under your real name” lot will be pleased, not realising it’s a new identity. You really should change the style of your postings though. You’re just doing the same stuff as last time.
This is my 3rd one. Every time some troll clones it, I just move onto another. It’s why I don’t ever use my real name. I have nothing invested in this so the clones have no impact.

NOT Grayham Jones
NOT Grayham Jones
1 year ago

Well said- Cathy Jones comments stagger me in that she is implying this racist behaviour is the fault of The English establishment and we should excuse such behaviour by our own children because of it. How anyone can vote her post up is unbelievable. She is as bad as the racists who did this in my book.

BigJone
BigJone
1 year ago
Reply to  Cathy Jones

Stop being racist. This is a story about Welsh children being horrid to a black child resulting in something even more horrible.

This is nothing to do with with England/the English you absolute nutter.

Gaynor
Gaynor
1 year ago

There is obviously something radically wrong with the ethos of that school and it and the education department needs a root and branch investigation and reform. How could the teachers, LA, playground assts allow this to happen on their watch?

Not My Real Name
Not My Real Name
1 year ago

I wish the lad a happier life where he has moved in England now. And I wish those who tormented him the full force of their actions returned against them.

Stephen Owen
Stephen Owen
1 year ago

I am very sorry for what happened to this little boy, he would have been made to feel welcome and those who bullied him should be absolutely ashamed of themselves. Racism has no place in Wales

GW Atkinson
GW Atkinson
1 year ago

This racism brings shame on our country. Poor kid.

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