Attacked boy needs surgery

3:20pm Thursday 20th November 2008

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A teenage boy battered by a gang as he left school will need surgery to repair his fractured cheek and eye socket.

The 15-year-old was punched and kicked in the face when he was ambushed by yobs as he left Downlands Community School in Dale Avenue, Hassocks.

He has been discharged from the Royal Alexandra Children’s Hospital in Brighton but will return for an operation once the swelling on his face subsides.

News of the boy’s injuries comes on the day headteacher Walter Clarke condemned the thugs for their “appalling antisocial and threatening behaviour”.

Four youths from Crawley, one aged 17 and three aged 18, were arrested in Hassocks shortly after the brutal attack on Monday afternoon.

They were released on bail by police after being held overnight on suspicion of affray, assault and causing grievous bodily harm.

Detective Sergeant Sian Griffiths, of Haywards Heath CID, who is leading the investigation, said: “It wasn’t a random attack but the men arrested are not known by the victim.

“The victim has been discharged from hospital. He requires an operation to repair fractures.”

Yesterday, Mr Clarke sent a letter to parents saying that in keeping with the school’s “normal practice of having a leadership presence at the end of school” he and the deputy headteacher were at the foot of the driveway when the incident happened.

He said: “We quickly identified that a group of youths from out of the area were present at the bottom of our drive and were behaving in a menacing fashion.

“In the midst of the exodus of pupils at the end of school, two other senior colleagues arrived to lend their support.

“The gang of youths then assaulted a Year 11 boy who was quickly ushered into school to receive medical treatment.”

He said staff prevented any further conflict and police arrived shortly afterwards.

Mr Clarke said: “As always I have nothing but admiration for the fortitude of colleagues who placed the safety of our pupils before their own.

“While the incident may have been understandably upsetting for many pupils, they are also deserving of our praise for their restraint and maturity in the face of such appalling antisocial and threatening behaviour.”