The mum of an 11-year-old boy who was tasered by police during an altercation at a Scottish holiday park has spoken out to defend her son, and demand an apology.
The young boy, who has learning difficulties and cannot be identified, was taken down by a 50,000 volt stun gun as he was surrounded by officers, reports the Daily Record.
The incident occurred at the Craig Tara holiday caravan park in Ayr earlier this year, and the mum has spoken out to defend her son's actions.
READ MORE: Edinburgh soldier pleads guilty to throwing punch at capital police officer
She explained that her son was holding a butter knife as he was upset about not getting a Burger King when the incident unfolded - and has branded the treatment of her son as "disgusting".
The mum has spoken out after footage was shared online of the shocking incident, as she said: "I wasn’t having him portrayed as a little thug.
"They have just treated him like a criminal and he’s never been in trouble with police or at school. He’s a good boy who just got overwhelmed.
"He says one of them called him a ‘little maggot’. It’s just disgusting."
The footage emerged this week of the incident that took place in March this year, which depicted several officers asking the boy to put the weapon down.
In a separate video filmed by the young boy, he begs officers to "stop coming at me" before the taser is discharged.
The young schoolboy's mum said she called officers to the park originally as he had ran off and could not be found after he couldn't get a Burger King because it had closed.
Police Scotland said the 11.15pm incident was "resolved with no serious injuries" - but the mum has said her son has been left "traumatised", and has a scar on his leg.
She strongly believes that the family deserve an apology from the police, and has contacted a solicitor. She said: "There shouldn’t have been so many people around him. They should have been telling him it was ok.
"He was cornered and they were holding up these big tasers. He was terrified and they could have done it a completely different way.
"I’ve had to give several statements to different people. They aren’t sorry, they’re saying they had to do it. But I don’t think they did.
"He would have dropped (the butter knife) if they had approached him more calmly."
The boy was taken to hospital after the tasering, and hasn't been able to return to full-time school following the incident.
His mum said: "When he came home he was silent. All he did was sit in his room. He was just traumatised by it. Anybody would be.
"The more I spoke to people about this the more I realised I have a right and I can do something about this.
"Some people have been horrible, calling him a little thug. Now the story is out there, I hope people will see it differently."
The office of the Children’s and Young People’s Commissioner in Scotland has expressed concern over the incident on March 22.
Also, the United Nations Committee on the Rights of a Child has previously called for a ban of the use of taser guns on youngsters.
Police Scotland said the incident was "contained" and there was "no risk to the wider public".
A force spokesperson said: “"The incident was resolved with no serious injuries.
"A Taser was discharged during this incident. As part of standard procedure, the circumstances of the incident were referred to the Police Investigations and Review Commissioner."
At the time, the force responded to media reports by saying the incident would be referred to the Police Investigations and Review Commissioner (Pirc) "as part of standard procedure".
A Pirc spokeswoman said: "Police Scotland referred the use of Taser to Pirc as is required.
"We are investigating the circumstances, and once our investigations are complete a report will be issued to the chief constable."
READ NEXT:
West Lothian dad who lost mum to cancer undertakes brave 1,243-mile charity cycle
Scottish teacher unable to hold baby after being attacked by pupil in classroom
Young mum went to GP feeling tired only to be given devastating cancer diagnosis
Edinburgh holidaymakers issued Spain warning as pilots consider strike action
Frustrated blind Edinburgh woman says wrecked pavements make city 'unsafe'
