6:50am Wednesday 7th January 2009
By Echo Reporter
A SOUTHAMPTON schoolboy was left bruised and battered after being the victim of a “happy slapping” by a gang of youths.
Sixteen-year-old Nathan Coombes was set upon by a gang of eight teenage boys and girls, some of which filmed the ordeal on their mobile phones.
The Oasis Academy Lordshill pupil had been out with a friend when they were attacked by the youths, believed to be students at the same school.
Nathan’s mum Kim Brown was left shocked when her son walked through her door with cuts and bruises on his face and legs.
The 39-year-old said: “I’d sent Nathan out with some money earlier in the day so he could get something to eat with a friend.
“While the pair of them were waiting for another mate they were approached by a gang of kids who were looking for trouble.
“One boy punched Nathan’s friend in the face so he stepped in to try to stop the fight.
“The gang then rounded on him and beat him up.
“Some of the girls in the group were even filming it on their mobiles.
“He and his friend managed to escape to a nearby friend’s house where they stayed for most of the afternoon.
“When Nathan came back in I saw the bruises all over his face and I was shocked to hear what had happened.”
Mrs Brown, of Aldermoor Road, Lordshill, added: “Nathan has been left shaken by the whole thing – he is worried that something like that might happen again.
“There’s too much of this sort of thing happening in Southampton, it’s disgusting.”
Police are now investigating the incident, which took place in Fairisle Road at around 1.30pm on Saturday.
Anyone with information is urged to contact PC Dan Robinson at Shirley police station on 0845 045 45 45 or anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
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