A WORTHING teenager attacked a schoolboy then lashed out at his father when he tried to stop the brutal assault.

A concerned passerby called police after seeing the assault in Durrington.

Chief inspector Sarah Leadbetter, district commander for Adur and Worthing, said it was a targeted attack and the child was left with several injuries.

She said the child's father was also injured when he stepped in to stop the violence.

DC Leadbetter said: "This teenager used fear, intimidation and violence towards his victims and showed little regard to the distress he was causing."

The incident happened on May 13 last year.

The father and son both suffered minor injuries and were taken to hospital for a medical check.

Officers were able to identify the teenager involved in the assault and he was arrested and charged.

The 13-year-old attacker, who cannot be named for legal reasons, appeared at Worthing Magistrates’ Court yesterday charged with two counts of causing actual bodily harm.

He was given a four month referral order to the youth offending services, a £20 victim surcharge and £40 court costs.

DC Leadbetter said: "I would like to personally thank the victims in this case who have shown incredible strength and courage to come forward and report this incident to us.

"Their support with the investigation has been invaluable and allowed us to bring the offender to justice.

“Although the victims in this case have physically recovered from their injuries, the psychological injuries may still remain, but I hope the conclusion of this criminal investigation goes some way to starting that healing process.

“Tackling serious youth related violence across our district continues to remain my priority and we remain engaged with our communities in order to address local concerns and build on community intelligence.

"This is the first wave of court cases for a group of youths involved in violence and I would like to praise our partners for the multi-agency working we have all been undertaking and this work will continue to address this issue.

"We continue to need the support of our local community and there are many ways you can report matters of concern.

"Through contacting us either online or by calling 101, the independent charity Crimestoppers or Fearless.

"If you or you see someone in danger please dial 999."

 

Sussex Police have been investigating a series of shocking incidents in which children were singled out and attacked by violent groups of youths in Worthing.

Videos of some of the vicious attacks circulated on social media last year. In one clip, a group of young boys forced a child to his knees then repeatedly punched, stamped and kicked him in the head.

A force spokesman said investigations into the footage had “uncovered a wider picture of violence involving and affecting young people in the town”.

Speaking in October last year, superintendent of Adur and Worthing Miles Ockwell said enquiries into the video led to the discovery of “a small group of young people who had been assaulting other young people in that area for a period of time".

The video was first seen by police the day after two teenagers were stabbed in the Worthing area.

Supt Ockwell said he could not “say it is directly linked but it is another incident of serious violence”.

A 16-year-old boy was left in a serious condition after being attacked at Goring Station on October 1.

This followed the stabbing of a 16-year-old in South Farm Road, Worthing, an hour earlier.

Earlier this month, a Sussex Police spokeswoman said that a total of "six boys arrested for offences linked to violence will be appearing at youth courts for charges of causing actual bodily harm".