Boy, 11, violently attacked for 10p from his Batman wallet
AN 11-YEAR-OLD boy has been left traumatised after being violently attacked and robbed outside a Croydon primary school – for ten pence.
Rhys Waters was dragged into an alleyway "by the scruff of the neck", thrown to the floor and punched in the face before his assailant robbed him.
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Rhys Waters with his mother Lorraine
The terrifying assault happened while he was walking home past Selsdon Primary and Nursery School at about 4pm last Wednesday.
After patting him down, the robber made off with Rhys's Batman wallet – which contained just ten pence – and his Oyster card.
His mother Lorraine said: "Rhys had just got off the bus and this guy pulled my son into the alleyway, pushed him into the wall and punched him in the face.
"He ran off after taking his wallet and Rhys tried to chase after him. He could've been killed – thank God the guy didn't have a knife.
"It made me cry because that's my baby being hurt. Rhys was in so much shock and he's too scared to get on the bus again."
Lorraine, 45, and her family moved to Foxearth Road, Selsdon, from East Croydon about a month ago, believing it would be a safer place to live.
She said: "When Rhys got home I knew something was wrong.
"He said 'I think I've been robbed' – he was just in shock.
"I'm really angry and upset because he's so vulnerable. Why would they pick on an 11-year-old boy?
"He's been very quiet since it happened and that's not like him. I've contacted victim support to help him."
Rhys's attacker was wearing a grey hooded Nike tracksuit, black and red Nike trainers and black gloves.
He had a pack of cigarettes in his pocket and is thought to be 18 years old or above with a slim but muscular build.
Police said this kind of attack is a rarity in the area, but Lorraine is now too scared to let her son – a student at Oasis Academy Shirley Park – go out alone.
She said: "I'm going to have to let him soon but I will be on tenterhooks. Anything could have happened.
"Rhys was really upset about his Batman wallet because he had bought it for himself with his Christmas money.
"It's really distinctive with pictures plastered all over it – I've ordered him a new one to replace it now. I said to him 'you're not hurt, you're still alive, if someone attacks you always just let them have what they want'."
Police are searching for Rhys's attacker and appealing for witnesses. Anyone with information is asked to call the police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
11 Comments
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by Misterkipling
Tuesday, January 17 2012, 11:40PM
“good point, I'll get my balaclava....
Only kidding, obviously”
by iguana51
Tuesday, January 17 2012, 2:48PM
“to those who are asking what the boy may have had on him worth stealing, the answer is that most 11 and 12 year olds now have iphones or blackberrys - i know several who got them
for christmas this year and i have been warned by another mother about buying one for my son as 'it makes them targets for mugging'. Who would have thought that kids would be targeted for their phones , sad but true in todays society i am afraid.”
by Misterkipling
Tuesday, January 17 2012, 11:18AM
“the attacker was lucky to find a kid in Croydon that didn't have a knife on him”
by tbabygib
Monday, January 16 2012, 4:26PM
“Poor Little Love, What happened was a terrible thing. But mum, You can not shield him forever,
Give advice, Like Yelling as Loud as he can, just giving them what they want but Yell.
Draw attention to the situation as loudly as he can.
BUT, He Must go out and not be affraid.
Walk Tall With Head up, AND Be aware of his surroundings.
I Wish Him Luck in life.
He will get past this, But, Mum will have the problem. like all mums do about their kids. Just go with it mum. when their not with you there is nothing you can do.
Just Make sure that when they come safe and sound, Give them a hug and kiss.
It will make you (mum) feel Better.!
PS DON'T FORGET TO SAY I LOVE YOU.”
by RonSpark
Monday, January 16 2012, 4:21PM
“Thats just disgusting. Must be a really desperate, cowardly lowlife to do this to a young schoolboy. Hope he gets caught”
by G_Brigadeiro
Monday, January 16 2012, 4:09PM
“I find myself agreeing with nicecityboy - what did this attacker this an 11-year-old would have to steal?”
by Green_System
Monday, January 16 2012, 3:40PM
“Poor little thing!”
by Misterkipling
Monday, January 16 2012, 12:38PM
“I hope this bloke gets caught by a 'fathers for justice' dad of a local kid.
It will be something very satisfying hearing that a man dressed as Batman found this guy and beat the daylights out of him, stealing this kid's batman wallet with 10p in it back off the thief
Please people of Croydon, make this come true”
by msbloggs
Monday, January 16 2012, 12:22PM
“To right nicecityboy.”
by tastyacid
Monday, January 16 2012, 11:59AM
“"Even better let's hope karma comes around and he suffers a similar attack and is robbed himself, what goes around comes around."
if thats what you think karma is then you dont believe in karma”