A 12-YEAR-OLD boy was knifed on a bouncy castle in front of terrified children at his sister’s 8th birthday party. The youngster was chased by an intruder who stormed into his garden and battered him in a horror attack before stabbing him three times in the leg, it’s reported. A 20-year-old man has been arrested […]
A 12-YEAR-OLD boy was knifed on a bouncy castle in front of terrified children at his sister’s 8th birthday party.
The youngster was chased by an intruder who stormed into his garden and battered him in a horror attack before stabbing him three times in the leg, it’s reported.
A 20-year-old man has been arrested after the shocking incident, which happened in the middle of the afternoon in Bootle, Merseyside, yesterday afternoon.
The boy was playing in the garden with 14 other children when two men, believed to be aged between 18 and 21, ambushed the gathering after storming up the front path of the property.
The attackers then chased the terrified boy before cornering him on the bouncy castle.
It’s claimed they rained punches and kicks on him as he cowered on the floor before knifing him.
Witnesses said the two attackers then calmly walked away.
The boy was rushed to hospital and will need surgery, his family said, and is expected to remain on a ward for a few nights.
His grandmother 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.”
The family say the boy and his pal had visited the nearby corner shop and were returning to the party when an argument broke out with an older man.
Moments later, two men stormed the party.
The family said the friend of the 12-year-old, who was with him at the shop and witnessed the attack, was shaken afterwards.
“He was white as a sheet afterwards when police were talking to him, and could hardly speak,” one relative said.
“This all happened in front of the boy’s mum.
“We can’t believe this has happened at a girl’s 8th birthday party.”
The lad’s condition is not believed to be life-threatening and he’s “likely to make a quick recovery”.
And cops today said an arrest has been made.
A 20-year-old man from Bootle is being held on suspicion of causing grievous bodily harm with intent.
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.
“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.”
