Attackers return to crime scene

Jun 23 2008 by Liza Williams, Liverpool Daily Post

A GANG of men who attacked a teenager in Liverpool city centre returned to watch their victim being treated by paramedics.

The 14 year old was the victim of what police say appeared to be an unprovoked assault in St John’s Gardens.

The boy was left seriously injured after the attack, next to St George’s Hall, at 5.05pm on Saturday.

He suffered face and stomach injuries when he was kicked and punched by two men.

The victim was taken to Alder Hey Hospital and his condition was last night described as serious but not life-threatening.

Police said the victim was in the gardens with a friend when he was approached by three men, aged between 16 and 21, who started arguing with him.

Two of the men started kicking and punching the boy while the third tried to stop them.

Police said the attackers left after the brutal assault but returned later and watched paramedics – who had alerted the police in the meantime – attend to him.

Det Insp Mark Guinness, of Merseyside Police, said: “This appears to be an unprovoked attack on an innocent victim.

“The area is known to be very popular with young people. At that time on Saturday, there would have been a number of people in the gardens.”

The main attacker is described as white, aged between 19 and 21, about 6ft 2ins tall and skinny. He was wearing a grey Nike hooded top.

The man who tried to stop the attack was also white and aged between 19 and 21.

He was 6ft tall with a heavier build.

Police said the third member of the group was a white boy aged about 16, with a tanned complexion.

Anyone with information about the attack is asked to contact Merseyside Police or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.