A loving father has said he has been left “troubled” after his vulnerable son was attacked at a Metrolink stop, causing him to nearly fall off the platform.
Quing Yum, from Moston, was travelling with his 12-year-old son, as well as his four-year-old child on 14 May. They boarded the tram at Victoria station, alongside a group of young men, who then called his son an “idiot”.
His son, who is severely autistic, was upset by the exchange. Dad Quing explained he would react to and understand the situation differently due to his autism.
Quing said they got off the tram at Newton Heath at around 3pm but, because his son was so upset, the situation escalated, and the youngster was violently punched and kicked by the boys that had called him names earlier.
A spokesperson for Transport for Greater Manchester called the attack “violent and senseless,” and said such behaviour is not tolerated on the Metrolink. Quing said he was shocked and appalled by what happened, saying his son is “very vulnerable” and calling on law enforcement to protect him.
“When he is approached by strangers, he doesn’t know there’s a danger,” he said.
“As a father, I’m very troubled. It’s very painful. I’m so afraid, and I have pain in my heart.”
Quing was unable to help his child, as he was holding his four-year-old, so could only watch as he was violently attacked. He said the attackers then ran off, leaving his son shocked and hurt, and him reeling.
“I had no hand to help him, because I was holding my little one,” he said. “I couldn’t run and chase them with my little one either."
Later on, Quing said bruises resulting from the incident became visible on his son’s skin.
He reported the incident to Greater Manchester Police (GMP), who have confirmed that they are investigating and are encouraging anyone with any information to come forward.
Pleading for justice, Quing said he hoped his son's attackers would face legal action, telling the M.E.N : "This is serious, and I want the person to be dealt with by the law. It's the only way, in my mind."
Kate Green, TfGM’s TravelSafe Partnership Manager, said: “I am extremely sorry to hear about this senseless attack on a young and vulnerable person. The TravelSafe Partnership is supporting Greater Manchester Police with its investigation.
“Nobody should be subject to verbal or physical abuse while travelling on Metrolink, and this behaviour will not be tolerated on the network.
“We take the safety of passengers very seriously, and that is why the TravelSafe Partnership works with operators and GMP’s Transport Unit to reassure the travelling public by tackling crime and antisocial behaviour.”
