Detectives closing in on thug who knifed autistic boy in neck
The victim, 17, later told his gran he feared he was about to die
by Luke Traynor'Very positive lines of enquiry' in hunt for thug who knifed autistic boy in face and neck
Detectives say they are pursuing "very positive lines of enquiry" after a vulnerable boy was slashed in his face and neck in a park.
The gang attack happened last Friday when up to eight thugs approached a 17-year-old while he was sat with a female friend.
One armed assailant brandished a Stanley knife which he used to slash the teen's face and neck before stabbing him in the leg five times.
His accomplices, possibly as many as seven others, helped to hold the victim down while the brutal assault was carried out.
The autistic boy managed to break free while injured and was rescued by a couple in a passing Audi car who allowed him inside and drove him home.
Today, police spoke out about the incident in Walton Hall Park, which happened at about 6pm, five days ago.
They described the attack as "shocking."
Detectives are said to be following "very positive lines of enquiry," and witnesses who may have seen all or part of the assault have been spoken to.
The identity of the perpetrators is said to be circulating around the community in recent days and officers are working with a significant level of incoming intelligence.
The boy was taken to hospital and received stitches to some of his knife wounds and then returned home, which he has not left since the attack.
He is "extremely shaken up" by what happened, which was close to a leisure centre.
The mum-of-two has since overheard her son telling his gran on the phone : "The reason I was running was to come and say my last goodbye to my mum before I died."
His parent told the ECHO, on Monday: "I'm sickened to the stomach about what happened, I could have lost him.
"We know from other cases in Liverpool that just one knife wound can kill, they went for my boy's neck, I could have lost him."
A forensic examination of the scene has taken place and CCTV from the surrounding area is being examined.
Today, Detective Inspector Jennie Beck, of Merseyside Police, said: “It is shocking to think that a teenager can be targeted in this way in a park, and we are doing everything we can to find the person responsible and bring him to justice.
“We have spoken to witnesses and are following some very positive lines of enquiry at the moment, but are still keen to hear from anyone else who might have been in the park at the time to come forward with information.
“No-one, let alone a 17-year-old male, should fall victim to knife crime and your information or evidence could prove vital as we try to locate anyone involved.”
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Speaking about the wider problem of knife crime, Det Insp Beck added: “We continue to devote significant resources and conduct targeted operations across Merseyside to rid our streets of knife crime.
“I would urge anyone thinking about carrying a knife to think again, and spare yourself and others the risk of serious injury, and save you from time in police custody.
“It is simply not worth the risk, because we are out on patrols, conducting stop searches, executing warrants and arresting suspects, or searching land and homes where we believe knives have been stored every single day.”
The people responsible are said to be teenagers who are possibly older, or in their early 20s.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Merseyside Police social media desk via Twitter @MerPolCC or Facebook ‘Merseyside Police Contact Centre’.
You can also call 101 quoting incident reference 20000295976, or contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously, on 0800 555 111 or via their online form at: https://crimestoppers-uk.org/give-information/give-information.