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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
National
Kieren Williams & Molly Dowrick

Mum claims son is being beaten black and blue at school 'because he's English'

A mum has claimed that her son is being beaten black and blue at a Welsh school "because he's English".

Kelly Wood, from Swansea, said other pupils hurl insults at 11-year-old Liam over the fact he is English and overweight.

She claimed he has suffered bullying for more than four years and children allegedly hit and punch him, reports Wales Online .

Liam, a Year 6 pupil at Waunarlwydd Primary School, used to be the “happiest boy ever” before the bullying began, Kelly said.

But he has become increasingly anxious and stressed, returning home “black and blue” from being beaten.

Some of the insults hurled at the youngster included “English p****”, “English idiot” and “fat”, Kelly alleged.

Swansea mum Kelly Wood reported the bullying of her son to the police (Kelly Wood)

She said: "My son has been severely bullied for four years. He's been beaten black and blue, he's been pinned down by two boys and kicked in the private area, it's terrible.

"They call him English p**** and English idiot - and he's picked on for his dad not having a job and being disabled.

“I've had to pay £30 a week for counselling [for him], Liam used to say he didn't want to be here anymore."

Things got so bad that back in 2017 Kelly claimed she had to rush him to hospital after his head was “split open” in a nasty altercation with another child.

She also alleged that the bullies had “taken it in turns to batter him” and he had been “piled on by seven boys”.

Kelly fears staff at the school aren’t doing enough to keep her son safe and even reported the bullying to South Wales Police.

Officers have confirmed they are investigating allegations of bullying and hate crime.

South Wales Police Neighbourhood Inspector Simon Trick said: “We are investigating allegations of bullying and hate crime against a 11-year-old boy from the Gowerton area. Tackling hate crime is a priority for South Wales Police. Hate crime is totally unacceptable, and we take it extremely seriously. We are committed to community cohesion and supporting the diverse communities we serve.

"The definition of hate crime is a crime that the victim or anyone else perceives to be motivated by hostility or prejudice towards any aspect of a person’s identity.

"It can manifest itself in many forms including physical assault, verbal abuse, online bullying or harassment, and in many other criminal offences.

"South Wales Police is committed to protecting our communities and safeguarding those who are vulnerable. Anyone who is a victim of hate crime or witnesses a hate related incident should come forward and report. It is through reporting we can take action against perpetrators and provide victims with the support they need.

"Anyone who suffers a hate crime should report it to the police. There are a number of ways members of the public can contact the police: - In an emergency always dial 999 - Report non-emergency matters online through the South Wales Police website or True Vision.

"There are number of support agencies to help people who have become victims of hate crime, they are: - South Wales Police Victim Focus, Victim Support/Victim Support Wales."

A statement from Waunarlwydd Primary School said: "Waunarlwydd Primary School treats any claims of bullying very seriously and we are committed to providing a safe and caring environment for all our pupils, where all members of our school community treat each other with kindness and respect.

"We cannot comment on individual pupils but we can say that Year Six are all happily working together this week preparing for our end of term celebrations."

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