A local schoolboy has been left too scared to leave the house after he was attacked in a playing field near his home.
Alexander Stewart, 11, was raced to hospital to get ten stitches in his head after he was targeted by an older teenager during a game of football.
Heading out in Bo'ness last week, Alexander had gotten into an argument with the other teen during the game, with the pair not well-known to each other.
During the confrontation, the 11-year-old had been knocked to the ground, where he was stamped and kicked.
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Speaking to Falkirk Live, his mum, Beverly, shared the terrifying moment her son had come home covered in blood, and had looked almost unrecognisable.
Now well over a week since the incident, on Sunday (March 20), Beverly said Alexander has been left terrified to even leave their home after thinking he was 'going to die.'
She said: "Words cannot describe how angry I am about this.
"This happened more than a week ago, and police are yet to make an arrest.
"I couldn't believe it when I saw him. I couldn't see his face for all the blood. It was pouring everywhere.
"Thankfully a man and woman found him trying to walk home. They gave him a towel to apply pressure to the gash.
"He kept saying he felt dizzy and at one point told me he thought he was going to die.
Alexander was rushed to Forth Valley hospital with his head injury and had to get ten staples put in.
Beverly continued: "The doctor said he was very lucky the man and woman found him because he could have passed out from the head injury and might not have woken back up.
"We were at the hospital for about seven hours. The medics wanted to make sure there was no internal bleeding.
"He has ten staples in his head, and the nurse said it will be months before his injury is better.
"Alexander is now terrified to leave the house and when he does, he won't go out without a cap because of the staples.
"The police took away Alexander's bloodied towel in an evidence bag. They also took bit of grass which were covered in blood away in a bag."
An investigation has been launched following the attack.
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: "Around 1.40pm on Sunday, 20 March, officers received a report of an 11-year-old boy being assaulted on Grahamsdyke Road, Bo'ness.
"He was taken to Forth Valley Royal Hospital for treatment.
"Enquiries are ongoing to establish the full circumstances."
