A three-year-old girl has been left traumatised after a teenage yob wiped spit on her face and told her he had coronavirus, in a sickening attack.
Matt Batty, 28, was returning from the shops with his daughter Alice-Rose when the pair were targeted by a gang of four youths on bikes near their home in Barnsley, South Yorkshire.
Little Alice-Rose was assaulted by one of the boys after she innocently told the group to "go home because of the nasty bugs" on April 19.
The group confronted the pair before one of them launched spat on his hand and wiped it on her face, saying "I've got corona."
Nearly two weeks on from the horrifying incident, Matt says his daughter is still suffering from nightmares about her attackers, Yorkshire Live reports.
Mr Batty said: "She has gone to bed and woke up crying and when she asks for me I put my hand on her heart and I can feel it pounding through her chest.
"She told me she was scared about the nasty boys catching her and I've had to try and tell her that they're gone now but she says they were spitting and coughing in her face during her nightmares.
"As a parent it was heartbreaking to hear and I shouldn't have to be going into her bedroom to calm her down."
News of the attack on Alice-Rose led to a child therapist contacting the family to offer her support to the youngster and her parents.
Her parents have noticed that Alice-Rose has become wary of bikes and worried about leaving the house since the attack.
The family had a consultation which was provided free of charge and have been offered future therapy sessions should they need them.
Mr Batty said: "She is only three so it's hard for her to understand what has happened.
"She has started playing with toys and has got a bit rough with them and we've just got to let her get that aggression out.
"She isn't normally like that but we've got to let her do it.
"She's also been letting out signs of frustration so if she can't do something straight away, instead of asking for help, she will throw it on the floor and walk off.
"The therapist gave us some tips on what to do if we see her being aggressive with you and if she starts talking about nasty boys we are to tell her that it's OK to be scared but that mummy and daddy are here to keep her safe."
Police are still investigating the attack, and Mr Batty says he hopes the culprits will be found, but fears they are lying low.
"I went back to where it happened and relived it which made me remember a lot more," Mr Batty said.
"One of the lads who spat on me was the oldest lad. He was around 17 and had a bit of fluff at the end of his chin. I remember him laughing at me and that is when I heard Alice screaming.
"I didn't see the face of the person who spat at Alice but he was wearing a black tracksuit with his hood up.
"The copper said to me it's very likely that they won't find them and I understand that but we've still got to try.
"I think they've seen it on Facebook and are now in their houses and not coming out. They are going to wait a few months until it all quietens down and then resurface."
Mr Batty admits he would be more than happy to see them apologise to his daughter for all the trauma it has caused her.
"Show yourselves and own up," he said. "It's not me they've affected - it's an innocent little three-year-old girl who has lost a bit of her confidence.
"I don't know whether she has got PTSD or not from this and we shouldn't have to talk to a therapist about this.
"I know kids will have nightmares but it's the same occurring nightmare and they are responsible for that.
"It cripples me as a parent to hear her crying and I just want to know why they did it. She is three years old, she is a little lass and personally I just want an apology.
"I want them to get on their knees and say they are sorry. Don't apologise to me - apologise to my little girl who is absolutely petrified right now."
A spokeswoman for South Yorkshire Police said: "Officers are investigating after a three-year-old girl and her dad were spat at during their daily exercise in Barnsley.
"It is reported that at around 3.30pm on Sunday 19 April the pair were walking along Pinfold Lane when they saw a group of four teenagers on bikes.
"When the child told the teenagers that they should go home, it is reported that one of them spat into his hand and wiped it on her face, saying he had Covid-19.
"The same teenager then spat towards the pair again before riding away with the rest of the group.
"If you have any information which could help please call 101 quoting incident number 519 of April 19."
