Protective mum hits back at bullies making fun of her son's life-saving surgery scars

The mother of a 10-year-old boy has hit out at "thoughtless" bullies after they mocked scars left by life-saving surgery he had as a baby.

Leo Hutchinson, from Ely in Cardiff, was born with sagittal craniosynostosis, a rare congenital condition that causes the skull to prematurely fuse and potentially causes blindness or severe brain damage.

He was just eight months old when he underwent a nine-hour operation at Birmingham Children's Hospital to remove, break apart, and piece back together his cranium so that he could lead a normal life, North Wales Live reports.

Apart from another operation two years later to relive optic nerve swelling, Leo has since enjoyed a clean bill of health.

Leo's mum called the bullies a 'gang of idiots' after they laughed at her son's scars (Georgia Hutchinson/Media Wales)

Sagittal craniosynostosis affects approximately one in every 3,000 births and is four times more likely in males than females, according to Alder Hey Children's Hospital.

The only remnant of his operation is a large scar running across the top of his head from ear to ear.

Leo, who loves cars and football, had recently gone to his local barbers prior to starting a new term at his primary school.

Leo needed major surgery to break open and put back together his skull (Georgia Hutchinson/Media Wales)

However, the young boy was left heartbroken after leaving the shop and being abused by a group of teenagers in the street.

Leo's mother, Georgia, 28, said: "Leo's dad had just taken him for trim to get him ready for school starting up again.

"After they came out of the shop though this gang of idiots walked past and went: 'Ewww, look at his haircut – did you pay someone to do that to you?'

Leo pictured with severe swelling after his first operation as an eight-month-old baby (South Wales Echo)

"Honestly it broke his little heart and he spent the rest of the day with his hoodie up. It's the first time in his life he's ever felt self-conscious about his scars.

"We've always taught him to wear them like a badge of pride to show the world what a fighter he is.

"Then along come these stupid thoughtless morons and undo all that."

The young boy was left feeling 'self-conscious' after the incident in the street (South Wales Echo)

Georgia added that she wanted those responsible to understand the effects their words had on their son.

She said: "If those people are reading this then I just want them to know that kindness costs nothing and if you can't think of anything nice to say then don't say anything at all.

"You've no idea what my son's been through and the struggles he's had to face to get to this point.

"I hope you feel horrible for what you did and I pray you never have to go through anything as hard in your own lives."