A mum claims her 11-year-old son has been beaten 'black and blue' by school bullies "because he's English". Kelly Wood says her son Liam has been targeted by classmates for more than four years, with children hitting, punching and calling him names due to his nationality and because they consider him overweight.
She says the youngster, who is a Year 6 pupil at Waunarlwydd Primary School, used to to be "happiest boy ever" before the bullying started. Now, the schoolboy is regularly met with verbal insults, including being called "fat," English p***k" and "English idiot," and subjected to attacks where he is hit and punched all over his body, his parent alleges.
Speaking to Wales Online, Kelly said: "My son has been severely bullied for four years. He's been beaten black and blue, he's been pinned down by two boys and kicked in the private area, it's terrible.
"They call him English p***k and English idiot - and he's picked on for his dad not having a job and being disabled. I've had to pay £30 a week for counselling [for him], Liam used to say he didn't want to be here anymore."
Back in 2017, Kelly said she had to take Liam to hospital after his head was "split open" in a particularly nasty alleged altercation with another child at school, whilst more recently he has returned home from school covered in bruises and marks after bullies have allegedly "taken it in turns to tag-team him and batter him". He's also been "piled on by seven boys," Kelly claims.
Kelly fears staff at the school aren't doing enough to keep her son safe and to stop the bullying from taking place. Worried for her son's safety, Kelly recently reported the bullying to South Wales Police. Officers have confirmed they are investigating allegations of bullying and hate crime.
South Wales Police Neighbourhood Inspector Simon Trick said: “We are investigating allegations of bullying and hate crime against a 11-year-old boy from the Gowerton area. Tackling hate crime is a priority for South Wales Police. Hate crime is totally unacceptable, and we take it extremely seriously. We are committed to community cohesion and supporting the diverse communities we serve.
"The definition of hate crime is a crime that the victim or anyone else perceives to be motivated by hostility or prejudice towards any aspect of a person’s identity. It can manifest itself in many forms including physical assault, verbal abuse, online bullying or harassment, and in many other criminal offences.
"South Wales Police is committed to protecting our communities and safeguarding those who are vulnerable. Anyone who is a victim of hate crime or witnesses a hate related incident should come forward and report. It is through reporting we can take action against perpetrators and provide victims with the support they need.
"Anyone who suffers a hate crime should report it to the police. There are a number of ways members of the public can contact the police: - In an emergency always dial 999 - Report non-emergency matters online through the South Wales Police website or True Vision.
"There are number of support agencies to help people who have become victims of hate crime, they are: - South Wales Police Victim Focus, Victim Support/Victim Support Wales."
A statement from Waunarlwydd Primary School said: "Waunarlwydd Primary School treats any claims of bullying very seriously and we are committed to providing a safe and caring environment for all our pupils, where all members of our school community treat each other with kindness and respect.
"We cannot comment on individual pupils but we can say that Year Six are all happily working together this week preparing for our end of term celebrations."
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