Mother's plea over attack on boy

Anthony's mother said she was relieved to have him back

The mother of a five-year-old boy found in distress with injuries to his neck has appealed for witnesses to the attack on him to come forward.

Anthony Hinchliffe was discovered on Tuesday evening with ligature marks on his neck close to his home in Dewsbury, West Yorkshire.

His mother, Terry Brown, said it had been an upsetting time for the family.

A girl of 12 is in custody after being re-arrested. A girl and a boy, both 11, were released on Thursday afternoon.

In total five children, aged 11 and 12, have been arrested and questioned over the matter.

Speaking on Thursday, Ms Brown said: "This has been a very distressing time for both myself and my family.

"One of my concerns, now that I have Anthony back with me, is for anyone who has information that can help the police to come forward and get in touch."

Officers from West Yorkshire Police were spending Thursday evening carrying out door to door inquiries in the area close to Earlsheaton Medical Centre where Anthony was found.

Police briefing

Police re-arrested the 12-year-old girl on Thursday afternoon after magistrates refused to allow them extra time for questioning.

Two boys were eliminated from inquiries on Thursday morning and a boy and girl, both aged 11, were released without charge later that day.

Police are still searching for two or three more people.

Denise Fergus, the mother of murdered toddler James Bulger, has spoken of her relief that Anthony was back with his mother.

She said: "Thank God, despite the trauma suffered by this five-year-old boy, he has been safely reunited with his mother."

The attack took place close to a medical centre near Dewsbury

At a news conference on Wednesday afternoon Det Supt Andy Brennan, of West Yorkshire Police, said Anthony had "marks around his neck that could be consistent with ligature marks".

"The victim is a five-year-old child who has suffered some serious injuries, which is why those arrested were arrested for attempted murder," he said.

"He's got a number of bruises to his body. He has marks around his neck which could be consistent with ligature marks - there are marks which cause me concern."

Items recovered

"Clearly, the boy was very distressed and he had obvious injuries," said Mr Brennan.

It was not clear whether Anthony had been abducted. Police said they were not ruling anything out.

The boy was being interviewed by specially trained officers, and police confirmed a number of items had been recovered from the scene.

None of the children being questioned is related to Anthony, police said.