A schoolgirl was kicked in the head in a sickening attack filmed on a mobile phone.
Evie Mutch, from Speke, was choked, knocked to the ground and kicked by a group of girls at around 6.30pm on Friday, October 14, as dozens of people reportedly walked past. The 15-year-old's mum Carol said her daughter "could have been killed" following the incident outside St John's shopping centre.
The teenager suffers from pulmonary atresia, a life-threatening heart defect which prevents blood flowing to the lungs. She has undergone multiple heart surgeries, and is currently awaiting a further operation to replace an artificial valve as she grows.
READ MORE: Curtis Warren 'banned from WhatsApp' when released from prison next month
Speaking to the ECHO, "It's just disgusting. Evie is traumatised, we all are. The fact that this kind of thing can happen to your children in the middle of the city in broad daylight. Evie has heart problems. If she'd been kicked in the chest, she could've been killed."
Dozens of passers-by reportedly ignored the helpless Academy of St. Nicholas pupil as she was surrounded and attacked by the bullies, who also stole her mobile phone. After the ECHO reported the incident, readers were shocked about a number of people reportedly walking by when the attack on Evie was happening.
Sally Lawless said: "How can people look at themselves in the mirror after walking past, knowing what’s going on." Vicky Bateman added: "People just walked by? How the hell can a human being not intervene when someone is getting assaulted?"
Shivey Smythe also said: "No way would I have walked past what’s wrong with people." Patricia Woods added: "Whoever seen this happening and walked by shame on you."
In a video taken and posted on social media, the teenager can be heard shouting "I can't breathe" as she is grabbed and thrown to the ground.
Her nan Maureen Mutch, 62, said: "Evie was walking around and there was a group of kids from her school shouting abusive words at her. She felt a bit intimidated because there was a gang of them. They shouted at her to go over to them; she walked up to them and one of them jumped up and smacked her in the face.
"Evie was trying to get away from them but they all circled around her. The girl grabbed her by the neck and threw her to the ground and they all started kicking her.
"Everyone who has seen the video is mortified. There was no reason for it whatsoever. It was a totally unprovoked attack."
Following the vicious assault, Evie was found bruised and bleeding on the steps of the shopping centre by a passer-by, who called for a taxi to take her home.
Academy of St. Nicholas head teacher Jenny Sing said: "Police are involved and we will work with the police. At this time I'm not aware of who these students are, or any specifics of the incident, because that hasn't been reported to us.
"If the students who assaulted Evie are found to be from this school, they will be dealt with and sanctioned according to the school's policy."
She added that the school had contacted Merseyside police for more information. A police spokesperson said: "We received a report at 1.45pm on Saturday that a teenage girl had been assaulted on Friday, October 14.
"The girl is reported to have been near the stairs outside St John’s shopping centre at around 6.30pm when she was assaulted by three girls.
"The girl suffered swelling and bruising to her face during the incident.
"CCTV and witness enquiries are being carried out. Anyone with information is asked to message @MerPolC C or contact @CrimestoppersUK on 0800 555 111 quoting reference 22000760451."
Get the top stories straight to your inbox by signing up to our what's on newsletter
READ NEXT:
Schoolgirl screams 'I can't breathe' as she's kicked and choked in sickening attack
Toby Carvery customer's worst fears 'confirmed' after ringing friend
Murderer Emma Walsh was 'controlling', 'jealous' and made boyfriend's life a 'misery'
Schoolgirl's devastating diagnosis after playground game goes wrong
Thousands of PIP claimants can expect a new DWP decision this winter
