Yahoo News Teen arrested over 'waterboarding' of 15-year-old Syrian boy handed caution
A schoolboy arrested amid claims he ‘waterboarded’ a 15-year-old Syrian pupil has been handed a caution, police said.
The unnamed 16-year-old was arrested after footage emerged of the Syrian boy being dragged to the floor and held down by his throat before having water poured over his face.
The alleged incident took place on October 25 at Almondbury Community School in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, which has since been criticised in a report by Ofsted for ‘ineffective safeguarding’.
Following his arrest, the boy was interviewed and then summoned to court for a section 39 assault offence in November last year.
A review of the case investigated whether there was a racially aggravated element to the offence but on Thursday West Yorkshire Police said the CPS had found there was not sufficient evidence to charge the teen with a racially aggravated assault.
A statement from the force said: “On 26 October 2018, West Yorkshire Police received a report from a 15-year-old male that he had been assaulted at school by a named 16-year-old male, the previous day (25 October 2018).
“Included in the report received by police was the video evidence of the incident, which has been widely circulated in the media and on social media.
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“The suspect was interviewed by police. Upon completion of the investigation, it was reviewed by the Youth Offending Team, the suspect was reported for summons for section 39 assault.
“However, following significant media coverage about the incident, West Yorkshire Police has received further intelligence and evidence and a review of the case was undertaken to investigate whether there was a racially aggravated element to the offence.
The statement said a file had been submitted to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) for their consideration, adding: “The CPS has concluded that there was not sufficient evidence to charge the suspect with a racially aggravated assault and he was given a caution for a section 39 assault.
“The victim and his family has been kept updated throughout the process and has been updated on the CPS’s decision.”
