A mum has revealed the bullying her ten-year-old autistic son is subjected to - including being made to lick his tormentors' shoes. Devastated April England, 30, says her vulnerable lad Logan does not want to go out and play because of the abuse he suffers.
She says it culminated in five teenagers who chased and cornered the young schoolboy when he was playing outside. They forced him to "lick their shoes clean" or they would beat him up, "starting with a kick in the face".
The incident took place on Monday at Chestnut Park near their home in Wonford, Devon, while he was with his brother 'Jack-Jack'. April, a single mother-of-five, said: "Logan was down the park in a part where you can't really be seen.
"Then a group of lads and possibly a girl started chasing and cursing them Jack-Jack and their friend. Its not the first time they have had a problem with someone or had to hide.
"For some reason Logan just couldn't get away and was surrounded by the group - they made him lick there shoes clean or they would beat him starting with a kick in the face. Logan told me that he licked one shoe clean and got away and ran home.
"I haven't reported it to the police because they won't do anything and part of Logan's autism means he wouldn't be able to describe or recognise who they were."
Logan, who his mother said "doesn't really understand what he did wrong", was unable to recall what the brutal bullies looked like but had reason to believe they were around 15 to 16 years old. April hopes to raise awareness of increasing incidents of bullying and threats of violence in the local area to residents of all ages - and even claims she is still a victim of bullying.
She admitted: "I just don't feel safe allowing the kids to have a bit of freedom with friends. It would be just awful if they were beat up and would be so dangerous for my daughter to come to harm as she has a heart condition.
"These teenagers need a curfew and there needs to be more police in the parks and CCTV. Teens think and know they can get away with this. I am just so worried to let my children out in case anything happens to them."
