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Original poster

Serious violence by 8yo

77 replies

Hoosey · 15/08/2018 06:08

I am sat in hospital with my toddler who has a fractured skull. The 8yo son of my neighbour threw a brick over the fence and has seriously injured him. For the last 6 weeks or so he has tried to target him any time we are in the garden- it started off as throwing poisonous berries over, then old footballs, then small stones and now this. Every time we have gone over and his mum just rants and raves that we are lying and her son would never do that whilst he smirks and gets away with it (she does know he’s doing it but doesn’t care). Obviously what’s happened now is in another league. What can I do? We obviously can’t not use our garden ever but I have to put a stop to this. I know he’s under the age of criminal responsibility but can the police do anything? I don’t mean towards the child but can the mother be held accountable at all for letting him do this? I’m desperate- watching my poor DS in such a mess and feeling helpless. I saw what happened DS was playing in his sandpit next to the fence whilst I was hanging out washing, it was deliberate and the 8yo laughed when he saw the blood. I didn’t get to DS in time to stop it and feel terrible about that too, I just never dreamt this could happen even after what has gone before.

OP posts:
QuoadUltra · 15/08/2018 07:08

You poor thing. I would be calling 101 right now.

Mummyoflittledragon · 15/08/2018 07:09

Your poor boy. Flowers. I’d absolutely report this to the police and social services. Disgusting mother. To think that some people are bringing their children up to bully and seriously injure tiny children is shocking. I’d say they both have psychopathic or sociopathic tendencies. I’m not saying they’re going to kill your children as not all psychopaths or sociopaths are violent. But you need to be very very careful. I’d stop using your garden tbh.

Are you renting? Are they renting? Inform your ll if you are. Sorry. I know this may be an offensive thing to say to some people. But if they’re renting I’d inform the landlord. I don’t agree with doing this for something minor. But this to me is gbh. As in the child and parent wilfully wanted your child to be hurt.

Mummyoflittledragon · 15/08/2018 07:09

Cross post. Good luck. 😘

IVEgotthePOWER · 15/08/2018 07:10

This is terrible!

I would be calling the police too op Flowers

FrayedHem · 15/08/2018 07:17

No advice, I'm just so sorry this has happened. I really hope the police are responsive.

Hope your boy is feeling a bit better today.

Flowers
MyNameIsNotRachel · 15/08/2018 07:17

hope your child is ok OP!!

BoomBoomsCousin · 15/08/2018 07:19

Even though the boy is under the age of criminal responsibility, your son is still the victim of a crime and the police are obliged to investigate. If you get an officer who is trying to get out of acting (and they are kind of stretched nowadays) complain up the ladder. It is inappropriate for them not to act. Social Services should be involved by the police.

I don't think the mother can be held criminally responsible for the injury to your son (though her lack of supervision and guidance could, potentially, be part of neglect) but she might be able to be held civilly liable if her supervision was considered inadequate by the court (that would be something you would have to pursue yourself though, which is expensive and probably only worthwhile if your neighbours have significant assets).

StylishMummy · 15/08/2018 07:20

I'd go to social services and the police, I'd also look into getting a cheap CCTV camera that can sit in your house overlooking the garden

DartmoorDoughnut · 15/08/2018 07:23

Oh bloody hell poor you and your poor wee DS Sad

Definitely report to police, the child who did this needs intervention ASAP

ChaseMe · 15/08/2018 07:24

Yes definitely report it. I hope your ds recovers quickly

twoheaped · 15/08/2018 07:26

Flowers I hope your son makes a good recovery.

I know you said you don't want to be a prisoner in your own home but if it is a case of life or death, I'd be staying inside for the 6-8 weeks you have left.

I hope the police being involved with give the mother a kick up the arse regarding her son and his behaviour.

Cuttingthegrass · 15/08/2018 07:30

I'd report but I'd also move the sandpit away from the fence. Put a parasol or something stronger over it and perhaps nail a cheap trellis on the fence to raise the height. Trying to think of cheap safety ideas since as the boy laughed he may try and repeat.

Thankfully you're moving. Hope your LO has a restful day makes a quick recovery. Can't imagine how scared you would have been.

BoomBoomsCousin · 15/08/2018 07:31

I hope you don't need this but if the outcomes for your son are severe you may want to apply to the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board to help ensure his future.

Aridane · 15/08/2018 07:31

I t

Makemineboozefree · 15/08/2018 07:35

You MUST report the child to the police. He could've easily killed your DS with a slightly bigger brick/more force. If he gets away with it this time, there is nothing to stop him trying again. Even if he's not above the age of criminality, a visit from the police and SS will hopefully be enough of a deterrent.

Fitzsimmons · 15/08/2018 07:36

Your poor little boy. I would consider following up with SS yourself when you get the chance.

Zommum · 15/08/2018 07:37

Get a report from the hospital, go to the police and social services.

cameltoeflappyflapflap · 15/08/2018 07:39

I hope your DS is ok. Echoing what other people have said.

Labradoodliedoodoo · 15/08/2018 07:40

Yes 101. You can report to social services aldo

bbcessex · 15/08/2018 07:40

Hi OP

How terrible. I hope your little one is ok.

There’s no question that I would be straight on to the police to report this as an assault. It’s then up to the police to decide age etc but there is no way I would let something so serious slide.

Original poster
Hoosey · 15/08/2018 07:46

Spoke to a call handler who took the details etc. Someone else needs to call me back to talk it through properly. DH is coming up to take over for a bit so I can get some sleep.

OP posts:
NatashaRomanov · 15/08/2018 07:51

Your poor baby Sad
I hope you manage to get some sleep, and that the police are helpful.

astoundedgoat · 15/08/2018 07:58

I'm so glad you called. Your poor poor baby. The child next door is obviously in need of urgent help if he is doing this at such a young age.

Nobody would argue that you are unreasonable to report someone to the police for intentionally fracturing a baby's skull. Thank God he's going to be okay (I'm assuming from your posts?).

youarenotkiddingme · 15/08/2018 08:17

Yes! Get some sleep! You can't deal with this effectively whilst sleep deprived.

Also record everything. So who you've spoken to, when, what they said and then if there's any outcome to that what it was.

Eg. Spoke to nurse X on yyyyy. She said reported to SS as safeguarding. Then if SA contact you record when and what was discussed.

YouCantStopTheSignal · 15/08/2018 08:26

Your poor DS, I hope he makes a speedy recovery and that your house move happens quickly.

And the poor boy next door who is obviously being failed in some way by the people supposed to be caring for him. Something is going very wrong in that house and you've done the right thing in reporting it. Hopefully the safeguarding teams will be able to get him whatever interventions he needs.