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Boy, 11, stabbed in racist attack

20/ 3/2003

AN ELEVEN-year-old boy needed hospital treatment after he was stabbed and racially abused as he walked home from school in broad daylight.

Zayn Sheikh, a first-year pupil at The Hollins Technology College, had to have two stitches to the palm of his hand after the attack.

He was walking along Royds Street, Accrington, near the entr-ance to Oak Hill Park just after 3.30pm on Tuesday 4 March when he was approached by an older teenage boy, who shouted racial abuse before lunging at him with a penknife.

Zayn, who lives in Fountain Place, Accrington, said he raised his hand to try to protect himself from his attacker, believed to be about 14 years old.

He said: "A guy came up to me and shouted and started swearing. He came at me with the knife and I put my hand up. He stabbed me in the hand and I fell over. Then I got up and smacked him and ran away. I was really frightened."

Zayn ran to his aunt's house, she took him to his grandma's and the police were called. Since the attack Zayn says he has become nervous of people he does not know, but his friends, family and teachers have been very supportive.

PC Jason Livesey of Accrington Police described the attacker as white, 12 to 14, and slim with blond hair. He was wearing a blue Adidas baseball cap, red jacket, blue tracksuit bottoms and white trainers.

Anyone who was in the area at the time and may have information can contact PC Livesey on 353708.