Police to take no further action after boy lost finger in alleged bullying incident
Police have announced that no further action will be taken following a nine month investigation into the loss of a boy’s finger while allegedly running away from bullies at school.
Shantal Bailey said her son had faced “racial and physical abuse” since he started secondary school at Abertillery Learning Community in South Wales and he was trying to get away from his tormentors when he sustained the injury.
Following an investigation, Gwent Police have concluded that Raheem left the school “of his own accord” with no-one else involved in his injuries, and no further action will be taken.
The incident attracted widespread coverage and messages of support from sports stars, and condemnation from politicians.
A fundraising campaign following the amputation raised over £100,000 in donations for Raheem’s treatment. Shantal is now looking into having a prosthetic fitted for her son.
The family have since moved away from the area.
Difficult time
A statement from Gwent Police said: “We received a report of an assault of an 11-year-old boy at a school in Abertillery on Tuesday, May 17. All reports of this nature are taken extremely seriously by Gwent Police. Officers have interviewed several people under caution and viewed CCTV footage from the school.
“Our investigation found that Raheem left the school premises of his own accord and no other persons were involved in him sustaining the injury to his hand. After undertaking a detailed and thorough investigation we will not be taking any further action. We’ve met with Raheem’s family and informed them of the outcome of the investigation.”
A statement from the council added: “We have worked closely with the school leadership team and the local authority and have appreciated their co-operation though this complex investigation. We all remain committed to keeping children safe.
“This has been an extremely difficult time for all involved. The incident unfortunately led to widespread commentary on social media and in the press, including by some high profile stakeholders. The press and social media coverage fuelled unhelpful speculation during an ongoing Police investigation when the school and the Council were unable to comment.
“Now the official police investigation has concluded, the Council is commissioning an independent review to identify any lessons learned to help inform future incident management responses.
“Abertillery Learning Community and the Council is appreciative of the support from families, colleagues and the wider community, and is pleased this has now reached a conclusion.”
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The Police? Aren’t they the people that rape and kill women, refuse to investigate the rich and Tory politicians (same thing?), aren’t they the ones who executed ? Aren’t they the ones who shot Mark Duggan? Aren’t they the ones who killed Smiley Culture? Aren’t they the ones who brutalised the striking workers in the eighties? Aren’t they the ones who battered breastfeeding mothers at The Battle of the Bean Field? Aren’t they the ones who attacked a silent vigil for Sarah Evard, a woman a policeman murdered? Aren’t the Police the ones that helped Andrew Tate create an empire… Read more »
Wow Cathy, you really are angry aren’t you. what strikes me about this incident is that the ” victim” lied, as his mother probably did too. she sought media attention and was successful in promoting a race hate scenario, where it seems nothing happened. You can be assured that hundreds of thousands of our taxes were spent investigating this incident, but I suppose for you, the result won’t be the acceptable one. im not sure what you expect from a police service, you are immersed in a deep world of hate regarding every single officer without exception. Shame, that doesn’t… Read more »
Of course – this child amputated his own finger….why didnt this occur to everyone at the time! As responses go on this site yours must go down as the most ludicrous ever (and the most pompous to). With regards to the police statement is worth recalling they said pretty much the same when the schoolboy christopher kapessa drowned! Sickening when the victims of racism are attacked for ‘playing the race card’ (only consolation is you people who leave despicable comments like that are cowards and never have the bottle to say that under your real names).
Leigh Sadly your response is just as hysterical as Gareth’s comment. WE don’t know with certainty what happened. Perhaps the young lad did self inflict the damage, that no one was actually attacking him or threatening him at that time. However his actions may have been driven by experiences over previous days or weeks when other kids much influenced by the prejudices they absorb at home and in their communities had given him a hard time mentally as much as physically and this became the crunch point for boy. I honestly don’t know what more the local police could have… Read more »