Dead student 'hit head in fall'

Mohammad Al-Majed had spent five weeks in Hastings

A student who was the victim of a suspected racially-motivated attack in Hastings died from falling and hitting his head on the ground, police said.

Four people have been arrested after the assault on Mohammad Al-Majed, 16, from Qatar, in Hastings on Friday.

His father, Abdullah Al-Majed, called for justice to be done for the "crime on a young, innocent 16-year-old boy".

Sussex Police said they were trying to find out how the teenager came to fall outside a takeaway near the seafront.

Det Ch Insp Graham Pratt said: "The questions we need to answer are: 'Was he assaulted, was he punched or pushed, or did he fall?'"

He said police would continue to investigate whether it was a racially-motivated incident.

"Clearly much of the investigation will seek to establish to what extent race played a part in what happened to young Mohammad," he added.

He was a charming, loving boy and there is nothing that can replace our loss Abdullah Al-Majed, father

Mohammad, who had spent five weeks in Hastings and was due to return home next weekend, died in Kings College Hospital, London, late on Saturday.

His father Abdullah Al-Majed said in a statement issued by police: "Mohammed was a young student who was loved by his family, friends and teachers.

"He was a charming, loving boy and there is nothing that can replace our loss.

"Justice has to be done in all this investigation. All of those involved in committing this crime should be punished for this crime on a young, innocent 16-year-old boy."

His body is expected to be flown home to Qatar later with his family, who have flown over to Britain.

Det Ch Insp Pratt said the incident outside the USA Fried Chicken and Kebab House, at the junction of Robertson Street and the seafront, began after insults were made.

Four bailed

He said the attack escalated and the teenager, a student at EF International Language Schools in White Rock, was trying to avoid a row.

"Mohammad, I believe, was trying to make his way away from the incident and during the course of the incident he has fallen and struck his head on the pavement, sustaining serious head injuries," he said.

Officers have said the incident, shortly before midnight, involved the teenager, his friends, and a group of local youths.

Three men, two aged 18 and one aged 20, and one 17-year-old youth were arrested and bailed pending further inquiries.

Mr Pratt said all four were local.