Sunderland mum speaks out after bullied teenager pelted with rocks on the schoolyard

Since starting secondary school, Christopher Murphy has faced relentless bullying and frustrated mum Kathryn says there’s not a day goes by where he isn’t met with verbal or physical abuse.

In the latest incident, the 43-year-old mum says the Monkwearmouth Academy student, who has asperger syndrome and ADHD, was pelted with rocks and stones with such force that they smashed the iPhone in his pocket.

A police investigation was carried out and Kathryn has called for more to be done to tackle the issue of bullying.

“He’s a target for bullies because of his disability anyway,” Kathryn Murphy told the Echo.

"There’s not a day goes by that he doesn’t get slapped in the head, pushed into a wall, punched in the face or taunted.

"He was stabbed in the hand with a pen as well and the school didn’t do anything about it.

"They were throwing rocks and stones at him and they smashed the screen on his phone which was in his pocket.”

The concerned mum took the 15-year-old out of school for two weeks following the incident, which took place at the end of April.

She added: "My son is so upset and has refused to go back to school because of this. His phone is his only communication with me when he’s on and off the bus to and from school.

"We hear about children who have taken their own lives because of the bullying they’ve endured and I don’t want something like that to happen to my son.

"I feel the school should be doing more about the bullying, especially for children who have disabilities.

"It’s not a nice thing to go through. I was bullied in school so I know what it’s like.

"It’s horrible when it’s your own child. I’ve tried so many times but nobody listens or does anything about it.”

Kathryn says she has spoken to the school countless times but feels she’s no further forward and has nowhere left to turn.

A Monkwearmouth Academy spokeswoman said: "We take all allegations of bullying extremely seriously and immediately implemented a full internal investigation in line with our policies.

"This incident was investigated by the police and no further action taken by them.

"We have put appropriate measures in place for the student concerned and these will be regularly reviewed alongside ongoing communication with parents.

Northumbria Police has confirmed they received a report of concern for a teenager who had been assaulted by another boy at a school in Sunderland.

A force spokesman said: “It was reported that the victim was being bullied by another boy, which had recently resulted in a physical assault.

“Officers have since spoken to the victim, his parents and the school involved. This type of incident does cause us concern and those involved should be aware that bullying is a criminal offence.

“Anyone who is the victim of this type of offending should not suffer in silence, please tell an adult or a teacher and you will receive support.”

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