Boy tells of horror attack

Lloyd Bailey - recovering from petrol attack

An 11-year-old has told of his terror when a gang of bullies drenched him in petrol - and set him on fire at Newport, around 1200 BST on Friday.

Lloyd Bailey has amazed doctors with his bravery and he has been allowed home from hospital to recover with his family.

He is recovering from burns to his face, hands and chest - but his family fear he will be mentally scarred for life.

Lloyd said: "I was out playing on my bike when I saw these older boys.

"I could hear them calling me names and turned around. As I did they threw the can of petrol at me.

Burning hair The pain got worse and I was in agony Lloyd Bailey

"I could smell the fumes and then the air went scorching hot and I could see yellow flames around my head. "It didn't hurt much at first but the pain got worse and I was in agony."

Police believe the gang, aged about 16, may have been trying to steal a GameBoy console Lloyd had in his schoolbag.

Lloyd staggered to a nearby garage pleading: "Help me, help me."

Garage workers at the BN Gibbs garage, in Philip Street, threw water over him to extinguish his smouldering hair as police were called in.

Morphine

Detectives are hunting the gang and have appealed for public help to trace them.

Lloyd needed four hours treatment for burn injuries in casualty at the Royal Gwent Hospital in Newport, south Wales

He was given morphine for the pain. His eyebrows were burned off, his hair was singed and he has scorch burns to his face and body.

But doctors felt it was best for him to recover at home - although he will need to return regularly for checks.

Sports-mad Lloyd vowed to be back playing football with his pals as soon as he can

He had recently moved to Newport, South Wales, and did not know any of the six-strong gang who attacked him.

The attack happened in an industrial area of Newport

His father Jason, 30, said: "It's every parents' worst nightmare. When the police told me Lloyd had been in an accident my heart just stopped.

"I thought he'd been hit by a car or something, I couldn't believe it when they said he's been set on fire.

"Who would do such an awful thing to a young lad. It was senseless thuggery.

"The people who did this should be locked up and they should throw away the key.

A Gwent Police spokesman said: "Lloyd has been very brave as he recovers from his injuries. We are appealing for help from anyone who knows information about this incident."