Mum slams soft police response over nail attack

She is now calling for police to do more to hold them responsible for their actions.

Earlier this week, your Chad reported how nine-year-old Romeo Smith, from Mansfield, had a plank of wood thrown at him by an older boy, which stuck him in the back of the head.

His mum Natasha, 30, said she has been walking home from her mother’s house with her three other children, which is just around the corner, and Romeo had lagged slightly behind.

However, when she entered the house she realised Romeo was not behind her so his father Craig, 35, went to check on him.

Craig found Romeo minutes from the family’s home, trapped in a tree by three boys who were brandishing sticks and calling him names.

As his dad approached, Romeo came down.

However, as the pair walked away one of the boys picked up a plank of wood – which had a nail attached to it – and threw it, causing the nail to pierce the skin at the back of Romeo’s head.

Nottinghamshire Police said the matter will be dealt with by ‘restorative justice’ - a mediation punishment which keeps offenders out of court.

But Natasha said although she initially thought the idea was a good one - she is having second thoughts and is now calling for police to do more.

She said: “One of the boys has come round and apologised which was great, and Romeo felt a lot better. But the other’s have shown no remorse. It’s like they don’t understand the seriousness of their actions.

“I’ve got children myself and I know if they had done something like this and the police were involved they would be terrified, but they don’t seem to care at all.”

“I think something else does need to be done and that the police need to take things further. It just seems like these boys are not bothered at all.”

According to the Council for Restorative Justice: “Restorative justice brings those harmed by crime or conflict and those responsible for the harm into communication, enabling everyone affected by a particular incident to play a part in repairing the harm and finding a positive way forward.”

In a statement released by Nottinghamshire Police, a spokesman said: ““We recognise that children sometimes do things without considering the consequences or the seriousness of their actions. In cases such as this, where genuine remorse is shown and there is an understanding of the consequences of their actions, we try to mediate between both parties to avoid progressing down the criminal justice route.”

Natasha says she is shocked at the reception she has received from people who have read about Romeo’s ordeal.

“I’ve had hundreds of messages on Facebook from as far away as New York , Brazil, even Canada. It’s been a bit mad.

“I just wanted to highlight what bullying can do.”