16-year-old boy assaulted in unprovoked attack

Nathan Booth - black eye

Nathan Booth, 16, was punched in the face on Saturday (11 July) night in an unprovoked assault.

Nathan was out with his friends close to Rochdale Canal on Dicken Green Lane just after 11pm, when they were approached by a group of around 15 Asian boys.

It is understood that the boys approached Nathan and his friends telling them to “move” and added “you’re in our country”.

Nathan’s mum Tammy said: “An argument then broke out between the boys and Nathan and my son stood to the side of one of his friends. Then these two other boys came out from nowhere and got involved.”

It is understood that Nathan was then asked what was in his bag and instead of responding Nathan turned away. He was then punched in the face.

“He was only out for about five minutes and this happened. He has been left with a big black eye. I am worried that this will knock his confidence now,” added Tammy.

The offender is described as an Asian boy, around 16, 5’9, slim build and at the time was wearing a full grey tracksuit.

Police confirmed that they were called at 11:20pm and are investigating the incident as an assault.

Tammy said: “People need to know what happened because this was unprovoked and to say things like ‘we’re in their country’ is just wrong. There is no need for it.”