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Boy, 9, 'threatened with six-inch knife'

Emilene White
20/12/2006

A DAD claims his son was threatened by a primary school pupil brandishing a six-inch knife.

Philip Smith says nine-year-old Shaun came home terrified, claiming a child at Flowery Field in Hyde had pulled a knife on him.

The boy demanded £20 that mum Keri Hodkinson had given Philip to buy DVDs of the school play, it is claimed.

Shaun, who has learning difficulties and is visually impaired, said he escaped by running through a security door.

Ms Hodkinson said their worry had been worsened by the school allegedly failing to tell them what had happened during the incident on Wednesday morning.

"I think it's quite disgusting that it has taken them from Wednesday until now (Monday) to even meet with me face to face," she said.

"I've had to keep Philip out of school because I didn't know whether or not the other kid would be there."

The couple, of Bradley Green Road, Hyde claimed that when they initially tried to report it to the police they were told it was a matter for the school.

They have since been assured officers would speak to the child.

Inspector Terry Finn, from Hyde police, said: "Generally a child under 10 is beneath the age of criminal responsibility. However, if a crime does occur we should still record it as a crime and make sure the child is aware he is an offender. He wouldn't be arrested or charged but we would speak to him."

Deputy head Alvin Fell confirmed police were looking into an incident at the school but declined to comment further.

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