A 14-year-old boy was stabbed in the head by a group of teenagers who also tried to set him on fire.
The gang attacked Kayden Khan, who is autistic, in Ladybrook Park in Mansfield, Nottinghamshire on Tuesday evening.
He suffered a large gash to his head, bruising to his face and two black eyes as a result.
Kayden’s mum, Zoey Hallam, told the MailOnline her son has been left ‘terrified, confused and heartbroken’.
Nottinghamshire police are investigating and have arrested two boys, aged 13 and 14, and a girl aged 16, in connection with the assault.
Ms Hallam said a group of around 15 teenagers arrived, pushed him to the ground, stamped on him, stabbed him in the back of his head ‘with a sharp object’ and tried to set fire to him using a lighter and deodorant spray.
She said they also humiliated her son getting him to go down on is hands and knees, kiss their shoes, and say sorry, as a ‘sign of respect’.
After the attack, Kayden and his girlfriend, who was with him, fled to a nearby shop where police were alerted. The boy was taken to hospital and his head wound was glued together.
Ms Hallam, 31, said the gang was made up of mostly of boys, but there were also some girls, and they were wearing balaclavas. It’s understood Kayden – who is on his half-term holiday – knew some of them.
‘I believe each and everyone of them had the intention to kill him,’ she added. ‘Every single member of that gang knew what they were doing and I will be pushing for the highest charges to be brought.’
The mum-of-two set up a Gofundme to replace Kayden’s favourite Nike fleece jacket that was damaged in the assault and had to be handed over to police for evidence.
More than £1,800 has been raised to date – far more than the family expected.
Writing an update on the page, Ms Hallam said: ‘Wow! We are extremely shocked for how much the community has come together and raised for our son Kayden.’
She added: ‘Kayden now faces a long journey of building his confidence again to leave the house and eventually go back to school.’
Some of the money raised will help pay for private counselling for Kayden if NHS support can’t be arranged, she said.
Police said the 13-year-old and a 14-year-old were detained on suspicion of causing grievous bodily harm with intent.
The16-year-old was detained on suspicion of encouraging or assisting in the offence and possession of cannabis.
Investigators believe the attack was targeted. They are appealing for anyone who witnessed the incident or might have footage (from doorbells or CCTV for example) to come forward.
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