A 12-year-old boy stabbed three times in the leg while on a bouncy castle at his sister’s birthday party was attacked for stone-throwing, his mother has revealed.
The child and his friend had been larking around on the way back from the shop lobbing stones, when one landed close to the two alleged attackers who gave chase.
The shocking attack happened in the middle of the afternoon in Bootle, Merseyside, yesterday as children celebrated the birthday.
Merseyside Police said the horrific attack ‘was not random’ after they arrested a 20-year-old man, also from Bootle.
The youngster was chased on the inflatable by a man who rained punches and kicks on him before knifing him three times in his leg
The mother, who is at her son’s bedside in hospital, told MailOnline: ‘I felt sick to my stomach when I saw it happen. My son was stabbed over stone-throwing.
‘Him and his friend were throwing stones around. Not at anyone in particular, just into the road.
‘One stone landed behind one of the lads, who yelled at my son before running into his house to get a knife.
‘They then chased my son down the road, into the back garden and on to the bouncy castle.
‘One was on top of him kicking and punching him in the face, while the other stabbed him in the leg.
‘As they walked away, one said to me ‘tell him to sort his head out over stone-throwing’. How can you stab someone over stone- throwing.’
The boy today underwent surgery on his injured leg. His mother added: ‘It was horrendous. I’m just relieved he is still with me.
The shocking attack happened in the middle of the afternoon in Bootle, Merseyside, yesterday as children celebrated a birthday
‘It could have been much worse as one stab wound just missed his main artery.’
The boy’s grandmother earlier told the ECHO: ‘It was terrible. They came straight in the back garden and went for him, punching and kicking him and then stabbed him three times.
‘There was a lot of blood so we just tried to keep pressure on the wound until the ambulance came.
‘There was around 14 children in the garden and we got them inside as quick as we could.’
Yesterday, birthday inscriptions on the front wall could be seen at the house and in the front yard, hours after a large police presence had left the scene.
The family said the friend of the 12-year-old, who was with him at the shop and witnessed the attack, was shaken afterwards.
One relative said: ‘He was white as a sheet afterwards when police were talking to him, and could hardly speak.’
He added: ‘This all happened in front of the boy’s mum, we can’t believe this has happened, at a girl’s eighth birthday party.’
Police said earlier today the boy’s condition is not believed to be life-threatening.
Police have arrested a second man – just yards from where the attacked occurred.
The alleged suspect was led away in handcuffs and put in to a police van. Two men have now been arrested over the incident.
Detective Chief Inspector Gayle Rooney said: ‘Although it is pleasing to have made a quick arrest, our investigation continues and we’re gathering all information to piece together the circumstances.
They chased the frightened boy and cornered him on the bouncy castle, attacking him as he cowered on the floor and then plunging the blade repeatedly into his leg
‘If you saw anything or hold any CCTV, dashcam, or other material, get them to us as soon as possible.
‘We understand the concern that such an incident has in the community. This was not a random attack and we believe that all involved were from the local area.
‘Nonetheless, for a young person to be assaulted is despicable, so it’s vitally important that anyone with details to assist comes forward, either directly or anonymously through Crimestoppers, and we will take action.’
A spokesman for Merseyside Police said: ‘We can confirm an investigation is underway following reports of a stabbing in Bootle this afternoon, Wednesday, April 7.
‘At around 2.25pm, officers were called to an address in Southport Road following reports a 12-year-old boy had been assaulted.
‘Emergency services attended and the victim has been taken to hospital for treatment to a stab wound to his leg, which is not believed to be life-threatening at this stage.
‘It is believed the offender made off from the scene and enquiries are ongoing to locate him.
‘A scene is in place and officers remain in the area to speak to witnesses and carry out forensic and CCTV enquiries.’
