Police announce review after child ‘attacked with paddle’

Police are reviewing an incident in which a young boy received a head injury caused by a woman carrying a paddle.

The incident happened near Conham River Park after officers were called to a report that a woman had struck 12-year-old Antwon Forrest.

A photograph shared on social media shows Antwon with a deep wound on his forehead which needed hospital treatment, with a video appearing to show a woman holding a paddle confronting a group of children near the River Avon before she walks away.

Police made one arrest and in a letter sent to Antwon’s father, Tyran Forrest, from Stockwood, said that the suspect admitted pushing him while holding the paddle, which made contact with his head.

A witness statement confirmed that the paddle struck Antwon when the woman pushed him, but the suspect claimed that she was acting in self-defence “because (the child) challenged her and she felt threatened by him and the surrounding group”.

The Guardian has reported that some of the children with Antwon had been throwing mudballs at passing boats including one being paddled by the woman who then struck Antwon.

Pushing and shouting allegedly followed, which ended up with Antwon being struck by the woman with a paddle.

In the letter written on April 14 by PC Lynn of Keynsham police station, the officer said that “unfortunately the decision has been made to take no further action in this case”, explaining that “there is no realistic prospect of conviction should this matter go to court”.

https://twitter.com/TRiiCiiAKANTREL/status/1522318093179146240

More than 8,000 people have signed a petition organised by the 12-year-old boy’s aunt, Antonia Forrest, urging that the police take further action, which was started before the police announced their review into the incident.

Forrest wrote that Antwon and his friends had been playing “when this lady accused and attacked my nephew with the paddle of her boat for throwing stones which he didn’t even throw!!”

She said: “However, because he was the ONLY black boy there and he’s very tall for a 12 year old she thought it would be okay to attack him!

“I am VERY upset to see that my brother has received a letter explaining they aren’t doing anything about this matter!! My nephew is Autistic and this has really affected him, he’s such a sweet soul.

“Please share and like let’s hope the police do something about this lady before other kids get hurt!!”

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Read more: Tackling disproportionality in the criminal justice system

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Following the outrage about the police dropping their investigation of the incident, a news item on the Avon & Somerset Constabulary website explained that the suspect was arrested but then de-arrested once officers had their name and address.

“This was in line with Police and Criminal Evidence Act guidelines (which say officers must consider alternatives other than arrest whenever practical). The person was later formally interviewed at a police station.

“A realistic prospect of a conviction (that it was more likely than not for a jury to convict after hearing the case from both prosecution and defence point of view) was not made out from the available evidence following the investigation and all parties were updated that there would be no further action.

“When police decide not to prosecute, victims have a right to request that a review is completed by an officer not previously involved in the case.

“Since becoming aware of the injured boy’s family’s concerns through social media this week, officers have been in touch with them and initiated a review. We will maintain that contact with the family as the review progresses.

“This review will be carried out by an experienced detective sergeant, with oversight from a senior officer. It is being monitored by the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner (OPCC) and the intention is to identify appropriate independent scrutiny so that our communities can have confidence in the outcome.”

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Replying to a tweet by Cleo Lake, former Bristol lord mayor and former Green Party police & crime commissioner candidate, Avon & Somerset Constabulary chief constable Sarah Crew said: “@ASPolice is reviewing the case and is inviting scrutiny. @AandSPCC is holding us to account as we do. In interests of fairness for all, better not to speculate until this is complete.”

Main photo: Twitter

Read more: ‘Where is the condemnation from Bristol’s leaders about the actions of the police?’

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