Boy victim of 'despicable' attack

http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/scotland/glasgow_and_west/7877843.stm

Version 0 of 1.

A 12-year-old boy was seriously assaulted with a blunt instrument by a gang of youths in a "despicable and unprovoked" attack, police have said.

The youngster was taking a shortcut along the canal bank in the Yoker area of Glasgow at about 2200 GMT on Saturday when he tripped up.

A group of four or five youths approached and attacked him.

The victim suffered bruising and cuts to his head and was taken by ambulance to Yorkhill Hospital.

Strathclyde Police said he was released from the hospital later on Saturday night.

The suspects made off west along the canal bank towards Whitecrook.

Det Con Ashley Moody, of Strathclyde Police, said: "This was a despicable and unprovoked attack on the young boy and it is vital that we trace those responsible as a matter of urgency.

"I would appeal to anyone who was in the vicinity of Duntreath Avenue at the time of the incident and either witnessed the assault or heard a disturbance to come forward with any information.

"No matter how insignificant they feel the information may be, it could help us with our enquiries and lead us to the culprits."