Autistic boy needs hospital treatment after ‘bullies’ leave plank of wood impaled in his head
Nine-year-old given antibiotics after the incident on his way home from school
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.An autistic boy was left with a one inch nail embedded in the back of his head after he was attacked by a group of “bullies” on his way home from school.
Nine-year-old Romeo Smith required hospital treatment after a block of wood was left hanging from his head.
His mother Natasha, 30, said she had been walking with Romeo towards their home in Mansfield, Nottinghamshire, when the attack happened.
“Romeo had lagged slightly behind,” she said.
“It's usual for him to trail behind me a bit, he does it a lot because of his autism and it's something I'm used to him doing.
“He likes to stop and look at things. So I was ahead of him slightly.”
After returning home she realised Romeo was not close behind her and sent out his father, Craig, to look for him.
Romeo was found up a tree while three boys holding sticks taunted him, his mother said.
Romeo and Mr Smith then began to walk home when the one of the boys threw a plank of wood.
Pictures of Romeo after the attack showed the block hanging from the back of his head by a nail.
He was treated with antibiotics and sent home by doctors.
“He is a very lucky little boy because it could have been more serious,” his mother said.
“I don't know whether it had anything to do with his autism, but I think they did see him as vulnerable.
“If I could speak to the boys responsible I would tell them to stop bullying others. I would tell them to stop the name calling and the violence. I don't want this to happen to another child.”
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments