A 15-year-old boy has been left traumatised by a 'knife-point' robbery as he travelled from school to see his dad in a care home.
Secondary School year 10 pupil Matthew Young was going to see his dad who has dementia when the horrific incident happened.
His mum, Dawn West, from Coventry said the autistic fifteen-year-old was left shaking and scared for his life.
CCTV footage of the incident on Alliance Road published by Coventry Live shows Matthew approached by two men.
As the pair reached Matthew shortly after 3.30pm, they engaged him then threatened him with a knife, it is claimed.
They then made their escape with his phone.
Dawn says the perpetrators scarpered when a passerby named Leigh challenged them.
The incident was one of several on the same day, Wednesday 24 March, around the same part of the city in which school children all fell victim to muggers.
Another pupil had his phone stolen earlier in the day on Dane Road, while police say they also had reports of incidents on Blackberry Lane and Belgrave Road.
They are currently investigating the situation.
Describing the incident, Matthew's mum Dawn said: "Matt was going to his Dad's care home, Leoffric Lodge, as he has dementia. Matt shops for his Dad on the way and then makes him his dinner.
"He was approached by the two men, and when they asked to use his phone to call their mum Matt declined.
"The taller one then said 'Run me your s*** or ill chef you up' as the shorter one pulled out his knife that you can see at the end of the CCTV footage.
"Matt was frightened, intimidated, shattered, shaking, and scared for his life.
"He also had his dad's bank card to shop and that was in his phone case. Matt felt awful for his dad, because stress makes the dementia worse.
"We were really blessed, Leigh, a passerby intervened. He let Matt use his phone to call me and walked him to Leoffric Lodge."
Describing the impact the experience has had, Dawn continued: "Matt's world has been sent into a spin. The emotional roller coaster, tears, anger, frustration.
"His sense of security was totally threatened, impacting his relationship, memories and time spent with his dad, which is fading daily.
"Matt didn't attend school on Thursday as he was processing what had happened, he was with me at work, as I have to work as a key person.
"He didn't feel confident to even stay at home.
"Matt's routine has been impacted, his dad's routine has been impacted. I feel concerned every time I think of him walking to his dad's or even to school."
Addressing the spate of similar issues that day and the general threat of gang crime in the area, Dawn added: "It's important parents and children are aware of what is happening in our city. These gangs of lads are a real threat.
"People are concerned about Covid-19, but the knife crime, fear and gang mentality is a far more relevant enemy and life threatening danger to our children.
"For these two human beings to take away, peace, security, well-being for a phone is horrendous."
Matt and his family are committed Christians and both Dawn and Matt have spoken of their faith and the role it played in helping them come to terms with the experience.
Via a prepared statement, Matt told CoventryLive: "You never know who is lurking around the corners waiting for that one person to come along they can mug.
"I will not permit this horrendous threat on my life to define me. I want to live my life everyday with a purpose to do God's will and live life to the max - live every day like it's your last.
"You never know what today or tomorrow will bring. Life can change in a split second as I found out.
"I am grateful to God, I really am. I am also grateful to Hebron Church for all the teaching and support that has helped me, especially now as I work through the fear that keeps trying to control me and my emotions."
Dawn added: "Both myself and Matt give thanks to God that he is alive. He is fortunate he has his own faith as a Christian, this is helping him to walk through the daily challenges since, when he jumps at shadows.
"We were fortunate Matt wasn't seriously hurt or stabbed. It's sickening, I am so so grateful Matt is physically OK and alive.
"It makes me want to wrap him in bubble wrap and hold him so tight. He already goes through so much seeing his Dad fade away."
Another mum, whose 13-year-old son was targeted the same day, previously told CoventryLive of her son: "He's not good at all really. He hasn't been back at school since.
"We went for a little walk last night just to get out the house but he was really nervous, really anxious. Every time a silver car goes past him or any groups of adults. Physically they never hurt him but mentally, it's really affected him.
"The school have been very supportive, they say they will be referring him for counselling."
A spokesman for West Midlands Police said: "The 15-year-old was threatened and his phone was stolen by two men who he believed had a knife.
"We are examining CCTV and asking for witnesses to come forward.
"We understand the impact that these incidents have on young people and would urge anyone with information to contact us."
Addressing the spate of similar incidents the same day, police previously said: "Several students were targeted by mobile phone thieves as they made their way to school in the Walsgrave area of Coventry on Wednesday morning (24 March).
"We’re investigating various incidents that took place before 9.30am on Dane Road, Blackberry Lane and Belgrave Road.
"At present we believe that the same group of offenders are responsible for all of the reported incidents and our investigation is well underway.
"Although no arrests have been made we’re following a number of leads and patrols have been stepped up in the area to provide reassurance and to deter any further offences.
"Anyone with information is asked to contact us via live chat at www.west-midlands.police.uk 8am – midnight or call 101 anytime. Please quote crime number 20CV/83615P/21."
