A disabled teenager’s mum feared her son would go blind after he was attacked with bleach by a gang of thugs.
Josh Hunt was walking through a park to buy himself some food after his shift when four men approached him who jumped him and stole his brand new scooter.
The 19-year-old, who has Asperger’s and Tourette’s syndrome, was questioned by the gang about who he was and then told him “this is a robbery” before leaving empty handed.
However, just a few moments later the brutes were back demanding Josh’s mobile and money.
After trying to defend himself Josh was dragged to the ground, where he was kicked and punched by the gang.
As he jumped up in a bid to save his £539 electric scooter – which he had purchased the the week previously – Josh had a substance sprayed in his eyes.
The chemical was later discovered to be bleach, leaving him unable to see, according to Manchester Evening News.
The group fled with his scooter just as Josh’s friend arrived to meet him in Wigan’s Westleigh Park.
Josh’s parents immediately rushed to the park and found their son screaming in pain.
His mum, Kelly Hunt said: “His eyes were very inflamed and swollen; he couldn’t see at all.
“My husband ran to the nearest shop and asked for bottles of water which he kept washing his eyes with.
“He then put him in the car and as he was driving home from the park, which is five minutes from our house, my son was screaming saying, ‘Ouch, dad, my eyes are burning so much, I can’t see’”.
When they got home the family called the police and officers arranged for a fast-response paramedic to visit them.
After assessing Josh’s condition, his parents were advised to take him straight to hospital.
The teen was escorted by detectives to Royal Albert Edward Infirmary in Wigan.
Josh had his eyes washed numerous times before being discharged with a prescription ointment.
His clothing was taken by Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue service to assess the chemical thrown at him.
It was found to be bleach.
Kelly, 39, added: “One of the lads said to my son, ‘I’ve got ammo and I’ll spray you up’.
“I’m mortified by it; I feel sick to know how hard he worked to buy himself the scooter.
“I’m on pins whenever he goes anywhere now as well as my other sons.
“I still feel shaken by it all, all I could do was pray his eyesight wasn’t going to be lost.”
There have not yet been any arrests and the investigation into the attack on December 21 is still ongoing, a spokesman for GMP confirmed.
Detective Inspector Patrick Wood, of GMP Wigan CID, said: “This was an awful attack on a vulnerable man with Asperger’s.
“The attack has left him incredibly shaken and I would strongly appeal for anyone with information about this incident - including who the offenders may be or the location of the Xiaomai Electric Scooter - to please contact police as soon as possible.
“This kind of attack is both cowardly and unacceptable and we will be working at pace to find the individuals responsible.”
Anyone with information - including CCTV or dashcam footage from around the park at the time of the incident - is asked to report it online or by using the LiveChat service at www.gmp.police.uk quoting log 2503 of 21/12/2021; or via Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
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