A teenage girl 'could have died' when she was subjected to a terrifying attack at a party, her mother has said as police launch an investigation. Distressing footage of the assault - filmed on a mobile phone by a bystander - has been circulating on social media.
Police chiefs, meanwhile, have confirmed a 15-year-old girl has been arrested and released on bail pending further investigation after questioning.
The footage shows the victim being punched in the face and head then thrown down onto the floor. The attacker rains down further blows to her as she lies prone on the ground, then knees and kicks her in the head.
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The shocking attack, which left the 16-year-old girl injured, is reported to have taken place at Knowsley Heights in Huyton, Liverpool, at around 7.30pm on Monday, January 2, reports The Echo.
In the footage, people can be heard asking the attacker to stop before she asks onlookers to 'pass that bottle' - believed to be a reference to a bottle of vodka.
Merseyside Police said the force was aware of the footage and an investigation was underway. A 15-year-old was arrested on suspicion of attempted Section 18 assault with intent and has been released on conditional bail pending further enquiries, a spokesman said.
The mum of the victim has spoken out about the injuries her daughter suffered as a result of the attack. The mum, from Huyton, who has asked to remain anonymous, said: "After it happened they thought she had just suffered a concussion but on Tuesday she couldn't move her neck.
"She went for a scan and it turns out she had internal bruising as well as bruising to the side of the face. A chunk of her hair was pulled out and my friend had to take her to the hairdresser to get the knots out her hair."
Since the attack, her mum claims she hasn't been able to go back to college. She said: "She couldn't go to college this week. The college has put safeguarding in place for her." She continued: "If someone had passed the girl the bottle of vodka she would have been hit over the head with it and died."
A police spokesperson told the ECHO: "We can confirm that a girl has been arrested on suspicion of assault following an incident in Huyton on Monday 2 January 2023. At around 7pm, a teenage girl was reportedly assaulted at Knowsley Heights during a party.
"She sustained facial and head injuries. Following enquiries, a 15-year-old girl was arrested on suspicion of attempted Section 18 assault with intent and has been released on conditional bail pending further enquiries."
Detective Inspector Alyson Keenan said: "We are aware of footage of this incident in circulation on social media. I cannot emphasise enough that this is an active investigation so I would strongly discourage people sharing or commenting on such images or videos, as this could jeopardise our enquiries, and cause further harm and distress to those young people present.
"Instead, we need you to pass any information via @MerPolCC or anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 with reference 23000008447, and we take the appropriate action."
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