A 14-year-old boy was assaulted in Centre Street by an adult man this morning, while on his way to school.
The incident occurred shortly before 8am when the victim, Leston Punchman, had apparently bumped a man with his school bag.
“We were on our way to school and taking a short cut, when this guy rode past us on his bicycle. Leston accidentally bumped the guy with his school bag and he fell into the water of a stream running through the veld,” said a school mate of Leston.
Outraged that the youngster had bumped him, the man allegedly got up and grabbed Leston. “He started punching and kicking him,” said the school friend.
Concerned about his friend’s welfare, the school friend explained how he had ran to get help from the people who Leston lived with.
Mimie Gopi, said when Leston’s friend had come for help, she quickly called the police but the man had fled when he realised that Leston’s friend had ran for help.
Nicole Punchman, Leston’s mother, said she was fuming over the attack. “How can a grown man hit a child like this?” she questioned.
Jan-Henk van Vuuren from ER24, explained Leston had only sustained bruises to his face, but had been taken to hospital for further evaluation.
Police investigations are under way.
