A Glasgow mum of a teenager has backed another mother's fight to end youth violence after her teenage transgender daughter had her kneecap shattered in an alleged bullying attack.
Leanne Houston has come forward to tell of her daughter Elle McLellan's horrific ordeal after autistic schoolgirl Abbie Jarvis was left hospitalised after she was reportedly lured to a park in Glasgow and beaten up, writes the Daily Record.
The 14-year-old had her knee bolted back together during a difficult four hour surgery after her leg shattered during an alleged attack just metres from her front door on September 1.
READ MORE: Glasgow mum devastated as autistic daughter 'lured to park and beaten unconscious'
Elle walked to a local shop in the Carntyre area of Glasgow to pick up milk for her mum when she was reportedly pounced on by another girl.
It is claimed that the assailant kicked the teen, knocking her to the ground. Elle says the girl then leapt on top of her and punched her on the head.
Mother Leanne has now joined forces with Abbie's mum, Angela, to back a petition urging the Government to address the disturbing culture of youth violence in Scotland.
Leanne said: "I just had to reach out to Angela after seeing Abbie's story in the Daily Record.
"I have had enough. I'm not willing to see any more kids get hurt."
The 32-year-old could hear her daughter's screams from the garden during the brutal beating and ran out into the street to help.
She continued: "I saw Elle lying on the ground screaming 'My knee, my knee' - it was terrible.
"Her dad rushed her to the hospital and an X-ray of her leg and showed her kneecap had shattered.
"She had to have metal pins put in to put it back together."
Police have confirmed that they charged a 14-year-old girl following the incident and she is due to be reported to the Children's Reporter.
A month after the traumatising ordeal, Elle still has her leg in a brace and it is unclear whether she will be able to walk properly again.
Leanne also told how her daughter was subjected to string of sickening transphobic taunts on social media in the days leading up to the incident and says the teen has now been left so scared that she is a 'prisoner in her own home'.
She added: "The things being said about Elle online were awful. I eventually confiscated her phone.
"Now this has happened, she is broken. She can't be who she wants to be. She can't trust anybody, she won't go out or go to school.
"She has become a prisoner in her own home and this is destroying her life."
The loving mum has now pledged support to Abbie's mother, Angela, after her daughter was also allegedly beaten and left unconscious after arranging to meet a friend at a park in Drumchapel on October 4. A 13-year-old girl has been charged in connection with the incident.
Leanne said: "I will stand by Angela's side and support the petition to end youth violence. Something needs to be done.
"Bullying starts with verbal abuse and manipulation. This behaviour should be stopped before it turns to violence."
Angela Jarvis added: "I was sickened by Elle's story. It is just another example of why we need to stop bullying before it turns into physical violence. Our children are being let down."
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “Police received a report of a 14-year-girl having been seriously assaulted on Merchiston Street in Glasgow around 5.40pm on Thursday, September 1, 2022. Another 14-year-old girl has been charged in connection with the incident. She will be reported to the Childrens' Reporter.”
A Scottish Government spokesperson said: "Everyone has the right to be, and to feel, safe in their community. While only a small minority of young people offend, violence is never acceptable.
“Ministers cannot comment on individual investigations or decisions. The police response will continue to be measured but robust - to protect both the public and young people in Glasgow City."
Anyone wishing to sign the petition to tackle youth violence can support it here.
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