Happy slap video 'shown in class'

Josh's mother said it was too dangerous for him to return to school

Police are investigating allegations mobile phone footage of a "happy slapping" attack on a 14-year-old pupil was shown in his school classroom.

Josh Wootton was attacked by eight youths near the Brune Park Community College in Gosport on 18 September.

The boy's mother said the group filmed the attack and were allowed to play the video on a large screen in a lesson.

The school said it was shown after the class finished by a teacher who was trying to identify those involved.

Josh's mother Lisa Wootton told the BBC that she had found out the clip had been played in the classroom when two girls in her son's class called round and told her.

There's no way he can return - it would be like putting meat to lions Lisa Wootton, Josh's mother

"It's awful. You send your children to school to learn, not to see things like that," she said.

"They [the teachers] are responsible adults, they're supposed to take care of your children not encourage children to show footage of that.

"It just makes me feel sick to the stomach."

Ms Wootton said her son was left with cuts and bruises after the attack, and has been unable to return to school because his attackers allegedly told him that if he goes back they will "finish the job".

"He was kicked and punched all the way home," she said.

"There's no way he can return - it would be like putting meat to lions.

"He wouldn't be safe. They [the school] can't guarantee me his safety.

Josh's mother said it was too dangerous for him to return

"Other students found it quite distressing and came to me and gave me the footage themselves."

Dr Ian Johnson, principal of Brune Park Community College, said in a statement: "A member of staff became aware of the recording and attempted to identify those involved at the end of his lesson.

"In doing so, the images were projected on to the classroom screen. Unfortunately, five students were still present in the room."

Mr Johnson said the fight had been pre-arranged by Josh and another pupil and that staff were aware of the plans and attempted to mediate.

"Unfortunately, Josh left the college before staff could intervene. He then truanted from the college and went home to change, to prepare to fight," he said.

But Josh denied the claims, saying: "I don't see how people can say I pre-arranged it.

"Why would I pre-arrange being jumped by eight people? I wouldn't. No-one's that stupid, not even a kid my age."

Hampshire Constabulary confirmed that they were investigating the incident, adding that officers will be looking at the mobile phone footage as part of the inquiry.