A teenager who was allegedly attacked with a machete at Liverpool's Albert Dock has been refused permission to attend his school prom due to his attendance, his family claim. The 16-year-old boy, who attends Liverpool College in Mossley Hill, underwent four operations after he was allegedly attacked by a group of youths in Liverpool city centre during the Easter holidays.
Family's Account
His family, who wish to remain anonymous, said he has been left with a permanent scar and at one stage feared he could lose his arm. The family said the teenager was unable to return to lessons or sit his GCSE exams after education officials advised he was unlikely to be in the right frame of mind following the attack and subsequent surgeries.
Now, as police continue investigating the incident and five suspects remain on bail, the teenager's mum said her son has been denied the chance to celebrate the end of school with his friends. But the college claims all decisions regarding attendance at the prom "were taken fairly and in accordance with [the school's] policies and practices".
Speaking to the ECHO, the teenager's mum said: "He's missed out on everything. He hasn't been able to go back to school, he hasn't had the chance to say goodbye to his friends and he hasn't had the milestones you remember as a kid."
Ticket Purchase and Refusal
His mum said she believed her son would still be able to attend prom after purchasing a ticket through the school's online system. She said: "He was all made up. He went into town with his dad and bought his shoes and his suit. Then the school got back to me and said the portal had been open but it shouldn't have been and the deadline had passed."
The mum said she contacted the headteacher, Mrs Haynes, explaining that her son's absence from school was directly linked to the attack. She said: "I told them it wasn't targeted and he didn't know the boys involved. He's trying to socialise again with his friends and it's a massive milestone for him. It's cruel if you don't allow him to go."
Then she said it was a catering issue. I said he won't eat anyway because he's fussy with food. It's just so many excuses. Yes he's missed the deadline, but there's a very valid reason for that. Then she said they'd had parents phone up and say they're worried in case there's an incident that happens while they're at prom. How can they discriminate against my child when he's been the victim of a knife attack? It's absolutely disgusting.
Details of the Attack
The incident happened after the teenager and two friends travelled into Liverpool city centre during the Easter holidays. They were on their way to a friend's house, but when their connecting bus was delayed, the pair decided to take a walk around the city centre.
His mum claims the group had been walking near the Albert Dock when they were approached by two boys, one who allegedly asked 'who you looking at?' She said: "My son replied, 'What are you talking about?' and the lad pulled a knife out. My son started fighting with the boy and then about 12 other boys ran over. Two of them had machetes and two had knives."
She said her son was then slashed on the arm with a machete. "He rang me and said, 'mum, something's happened, just stay calm. I've been chopped in town with a machete.' I hit the deck. It was just horrific. He doesn't hang around in town; he's not one of those kids. He's a good kid. Police told us we were very lucky that it wasn't a different phone call and it's lucky he's alive."
Medical Aftermath
Following an initial surgery, the teenager developed an infection which doctors put down to the knife being dirty. He was forced to undergo another three surgeries, resulting in several weeks absence from school. "He has a huge scar on his arm and has to go to scar therapy. There was one point we thought he was going to lose his arm," she said. "He has been through the most traumatic experience of his whole life."
Police Investigation
Between April 29 and June 15, five suspects were arrested in connection with the incident. A 19-year-old man from Bootle was arrested on suspicion of Section 18 wounding with intent, affray and possession of an offensive weapon in a public place. An 18-year-old man from Huyton was arrested on suspicion of Section 18 wounding with intent, affray and possession of an offensive weapon in a public place. A 17-year-old boy from Huyton was arrested on suspicion of Section 18 wounding with intent and possession with intent to supply cannabis. A 15-year-old boy from Huyton was arrested on suspicion of affray and possession of cannabis. A second 17-year-old boy from Huyton was arrested on suspicion of affray. All five have been released on conditional bail, including conditions preventing them from entering Liverpool city centre, while enquiries continue.
School's Response
Responding to the family's concerns over the prom decision, headteacher Mrs Haynes said: "All decisions regarding attendance at the Prom for all pupils were taken fairly and in accordance with our policies and practices. The rules apply to all, not just to some. In addition, I can confirm that the shocking events during the Easter holidays played no part in any decisions concerning the Prom or anyone's attendance at it." She added that it would be inappropriate to comment further.
