Boy 'forced to view Bigley death'

The alleged incident happened at Cathays High School

A school has launched an investigation into claims pupils attempted to force another boy to watch the beheading of Iraq hostage Ken Bigley.

Nathanial Titley, 14, was forced to sit at a computer at Cathays High School, Cardiff, while footage of Mr Bigley's death was downloaded from the internet.

Nathaniel's parents said their child had suffered nightmares and that they were taking legal advice.

The school's head teacher, Rod Philips, said an investigation was under way.

Engineer Ken Bigley, 62, from Liverpool, was captured in Iraq by militants in September last year.

He closed his eyes and covered his ears, but he was aware it was going on Lynn Titley

He was beheaded by his captors in October in a filmed killing which was broadcast on the internet.

Nathaniel's mother, Lynn, said her son, who has special educational needs, was forced to sit in front of a film of the killing by bullies while in an information technology class.

She told the BBC Wales news website: "Nathaniel was in an IT lesson and he was aware there was a huddle of other pupils who were finding something amusing on the internet.

"They kept asking Nathaniel to come over, but he didn't want to go.

"Eventually, they physically pulled him across the classroom.

Mr Bigley's execution was broadcast on the internet

"They had footage of Ken Bigley's execution on a foreign-language internet site.

"Nathaniel recognised it from TV and didn't want to see it. He closed his eyes and covered his ears, but he was aware it was going on.

"We are taking advice from a solicitor and our next course of action depends on that."

Mrs Titley from Llanedeyrn, Cardiff, said her son became quiet and withdrawn after the alleged incident and has also claimed her son has been the victim of other instances of bullying.

'Thorough investigation'

"When he came home, I knew there was something terribly wrong and he has had great difficulty telling us about it," she added.

"He has also suffered nightmares about it. We told the school about it, but we don't feel there has been enough done."

Head teacher Rod Phillips said: "All I can say on the matter at the moment is that we investigate all serious allegations.

"The school and the local education authority have began a thorough investigation into this matter."

Cardiff Council confirmed that an investigation was under way.

"The council always takes any allegations of bullying very seriously and the alleged incident at Cathays High School is being investigated by the school at the moment," a spokesman said.

"The LEA is aware of the individual pupil's case with regard to special educational needs and is taking action to ensure that the assessment of need is up to date and the provision of support appropriate."